Top Five Friday #40

Happy Friday everyone!  I don't know about you, but I'm ready for the weekend.  For some reason, if I have a four-day week, I always seem so much busier both at work and at home.  It's almost like I need to cram that day off into the rest of the week.

I hope that everyone stays safe this weekend!  There's a huge snow storm in the forecast all over the place, so please be careful out there.  I love what Dorothy said on Instagram- "One missed run WILL NOT RUIN a race or your training, but one run can certainly RUIN a race if you fall or get injured." 

Now, onto the favorites!

Linking up with Mar, Cynthia and Court 
as well as Heather!


Favorites


Deer Park Sparkling Water

I mentioned before that I've been loving to drink some La Croix water while I'm on the Whole30.  Since added sugars and alcohol are out, I've been relying on it to get a fizzy fix, and for a break from all the water!  Unfortunately, it's pretty expensive, and I find the taste a bit too mellow for my liking.

This week, I decided to try out Deer Park Sparkling Water since it's less than $1.00 for a bottle, and I'm hooked!  It has a much stronger taste than La Croix, and it's delicious.  I'm not sure how they can pack so much flavor in a sparkling water with no added sugar or artificial flavors, but I'm obsessed.  My favorite flavor is watermelon lime!



Australian Open

If you'll all remember, I'm a huge tennis fan, even though I'm awful at playing it!  I love to watch all of the tournaments, but the grand slams are the most exciting.  The first one of 2016 just started this week in Australia, and I've been watching as much as possible.  The time change is a bit difficult, but I can watch a few matches at night and then the final match when I wake up.

The first two rounds have been really exciting to watch, with lots of upsets early on.  So far, I'm rooting for Victoria Azarenka and Johanna Konta on the women's side, and Nick Kyrgios and Roger Federer on the men's side!



Dress Shopping

On my day off Monday, my mom and I went out shopping to try to find my wedding dress after numerous failed attempts at online shopping.  It only took us about an hour, and I found my dream dress!  My vision was something that flowed in the wind and was drapey but still flattering.  I also wanted something a bit different and not the typical beach wedding dress, and I think I found it!

We stopped at lots of stores in the mall, and made our final stop at Express.  Waiting in the entrance of the store was a rack of white maxi dresses, and I knew right away that this was the dress.  I love how it looks on, and I like that it's simple but still has some interesting details.  I'm deciding if I want to replace the gold chain straps, but for now I'm in love!



House Shows

This week was all about the shows on HGTV.  I'm still house hunting (going to see 7 more tomorrow!), so I'm trying to learn some techniques for what to look for and get inspired to start DIYing!  I haven't watched any TV this week other than the Australian Open and house shows, so you KNOW I'm obsessed!  Luckily, Dan is just as into them as I am, so we watch the shows together every night and pick out what we like and don't like.  

Some of my favorite shows are: Fixer Upper (p.s.- here's how to get that Fixer Upper look in your house!), House Hunters, and Buying and Selling.  What's your favorite?



Songs

These are the songs that are currently on repeat in my running playlist!


What are you plans for the weekend?
Is anyone excited for a potential snow storm?
What shows are you loving right now?

Post contains affiliate links

Comments

  1. UnknownJanuary 22, 2016 at 2:05 AM

    I wish the blizzard was happening on a weekday, but otherwise I am fine with it, will be busy baking. Haven't had a storm in a while! Not even sure I mind that I am missing the half! lol

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    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunJanuary 22, 2016 at 11:56 AM

      I'm glad it's not on a weekday..I would still have to go into work! At least now I can stay home and relax.

      Delete
  2. Two Runners Travel January 22, 2016 at 3:44 AM

    Congrats on finding the perfect dress. I am also a huge tennis fan and we have been fortunate to spectate at three of the grand slam events. We jsut need to make that trip to Melbourne in January sometime!

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    1. Gretchen BraunJanuary 22, 2016 at 11:56 AM

      That would be amazing..they keep talking about the 70+ degree weather and I'm super jealous!

      Delete
  3. UnknownJanuary 22, 2016 at 4:31 AM

    Yay for finding the dress! so exciting! Blizzards don't really impact us much here. I think that they just assume that you can get into the city and such. Thank goodness I'm not on crutches. Can I please come and househunt and watch HGTV with you???

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    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunJanuary 22, 2016 at 11:57 AM

      YES to both! Haha I'll bring you along via snapchat again :)

      Delete
  4. UnknownJanuary 22, 2016 at 4:52 AM

    I'm a huge tennis fan too! Always cheer for Roger :) SO exciting for finding the dress!!

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  5. PeggyJanuary 22, 2016 at 5:22 AM

    The dress is perfect. In this weather you don't want to take any chances. Is there somewhere where you can run indoors?

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    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunJanuary 22, 2016 at 11:58 AM

      Yup! There's a gym down the street from me that I go to :)

      Delete
  6. Margaret @ youngandrungryJanuary 22, 2016 at 5:42 AM

    So interesting about that water! I need to try it! I love the dress Gretchen and it looked amazing on you. I'm just so excited that the date is getting closer and closer! We were supposed to have a snow storm today, but we just got a couple inches and I'm still about to mosey on into work.. whomp whomp.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Gretchen BraunJanuary 22, 2016 at 11:58 AM

      Thanks Margaret! Glad that you didn't get more snow and hope the roads aren't bad!

      Delete
  7. Gina DailyJanuary 22, 2016 at 5:56 AM

    Okay, I've never tried La Croix because it just doesn't appeal to me but now I suddenly want to try Deer Park water! And I have to say I love that you listen to Crazy Train by Ozzy!! I didn't know you were a rocker at heart!!
    Gina || On the Daily Express

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    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunJanuary 22, 2016 at 11:59 AM

      You should! It's amazing. I'm a little bit of everything at heart haha

      Delete
  8. Morgan @ Morgan Manages MommyhoodJanuary 22, 2016 at 6:21 AM

    Such a gorgeous dress! Yay for finding one, it's such a relief once you do!! Also, we randomly started watching house shows and it was the best/worst decision ever - obsessed!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Jessie MJanuary 22, 2016 at 6:47 AM

    Though I haven't watched any house shows recently due to my lack of time & cable I'm obsessed. I especially love House Hunters & Property Brothers.

    As for the snow. I wouldn't mind it. But if it's gonna snow I want it big, like everyone stay in your houses big. None of this like 2 inch stuff that just makes roads dangerous & people still drive anyways.

    PS. Congrats on finding THE dress!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunJanuary 22, 2016 at 12:01 PM

      I kind of love and hate the Property Brothers. They do great work but they seem really conceited about their looks which kind of turns me off their shows.

      Delete
  10. Laura NorrisJanuary 22, 2016 at 7:35 AM

    Congrats on finding a wedding dress - it's gorgeous! It's 50 degrees in Seattle today, but some of the passes were closed earlier this week in the mountains because of snow there. Stay safe and warm if the storm hits near you!

    ReplyDelete
  11. HannaJanuary 22, 2016 at 7:43 AM

    Awesome that you found a dress! So exciting!

    I'm a huge fan of La Croix. When I gave up soda last year La Croix saved my life. But I'm torn about it because as much as I love La Croix, I don't love the amount of waste I produce going through all those cans and cardboard boxes. I'm really trying to downsize our recycling bin this year, and cans are one of our biggest culprits. I have a SodaStream that I got for my birthday last year but stopped using when the CO2 ran out, and I just ordered more so I can start using it again. While the waters I make are never as good as La Croix, it's less waste I have to deal with and I end up drinking much more water this way!

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    1. Gretchen BraunJanuary 22, 2016 at 2:50 PM

      That's a great point. I haven't tried the sodastream but I bet that's a great alternative! And plain old water with some fruit thrown in is great as well :)

      Delete
  12. Amanda @ Exploring Life & ThingsJanuary 22, 2016 at 8:02 AM

    That dress is gorgeous!!! I also am a huge sucker for the HGTV shows too haha. I like Love It or List It and Fixer Upper. I hope your house hunting this weekend goes well :)

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    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunJanuary 22, 2016 at 2:51 PM

      Thank you! Hoping we can go at all because of the storm...

      Delete
  13. MeeshJanuary 22, 2016 at 8:27 AM

    That water looks delicious, I have not seen that brand or flavor in my local stores yet. Not sure if its "Whole 30" worthy but the Poland Spring strawberry flavor is also delicious.

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  14. LesleyJanuary 22, 2016 at 8:40 AM

    I'm late to discover songs so I'm listening to a song right now that was released in 2014. Oops. But it's a non-stop song and perfect to be on my running playlist too.

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  15. UnknownJanuary 22, 2016 at 9:50 AM

    Gorgeous dress! So glad you found your dream dress that's perfect for you! Happy house hunting!

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    1. Gretchen BraunJanuary 22, 2016 at 2:53 PM

      Thanks Jennifer! One house we're looking at is actually kind of near you!

      Delete
  16. James @ halfmarathonjamesJanuary 22, 2016 at 10:30 AM

    Good luck with the house hunting, it sounds like you will be busy! Yeah, we have been hearing about the US snow storm on the radio here in Ireland. It sounds crazy. I heard two feet of snow was expected??

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    1. Gretchen BraunJanuary 22, 2016 at 2:54 PM

      Woah crazy that it's that big of a deal! It all depends where you are how much you get..I'm not in the snow belt so we don't get quite as much as other places like Ohio, New York and New Jersey.

      Delete
  17. Jess @hellotofitJanuary 22, 2016 at 10:33 AM

    I love Property Brothers and Fixer Upper, too! We probably won't be going house hunting until spring, but never a bad time to get ideas ;)
    Glad you found your dress!

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    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunJanuary 22, 2016 at 2:55 PM

      Definitely not a bad idea. Now you have a better idea of what to look for!

      Delete
  18. JennaJanuary 22, 2016 at 11:29 AM

    Congrats on finding your dress! It's gorgeous!
    We love HGTV at our house too! Have a great weekend!

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    1. Gretchen BraunJanuary 22, 2016 at 2:55 PM

      Thanks Jenna :) Hope you have a great weekend too!

      Delete
  19. Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC January 22, 2016 at 12:36 PM

    so happy you found a dress! yay!

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  20. UnknownJanuary 22, 2016 at 1:16 PM

    sparkling water. YES. best thing ever :) congrats on finding a dress!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Mar @ Mar on the RunJanuary 22, 2016 at 2:00 PM

    yay - congrats on finding a dress! sounds spectacular!

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  22. EmilyJanuary 22, 2016 at 3:46 PM

    So happy you got your dress! That's a victory! :)

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  23. UnknownJanuary 22, 2016 at 3:51 PM

    YES YES YES to that dress! It's perfect! Panic at the Disco is me and Callum's favourite. :)

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  24. Fairytales and FitnessJanuary 22, 2016 at 8:30 PM

    Congrats on finding the perfect dress. That is great news!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Kristen @ See You In A PorridgeJanuary 25, 2016 at 12:40 PM

    that is so true about missing a run vs hurting yourself. so true! i'll have to remind myself of that. basically all of HGTV is my favourite haha. i love buying and selling, house hunters (and renovations and where are they now) and fixer upper and property brothers and basically all the things. so glad you found THE dress, it was stunning!

    ReplyDelete

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