The holidays are almost here….2 weeks until Christmas. Woah.
I’ve been in slight denial that the holidays are almost here, but it’s time to get real. I still have to do my shopping for loved ones, and hope that I’m on the Nice list to get a few things in return!
So I thought it would be fun to participate in the Friday Five linkup, hosted by the DC Trifecta: Mar, Courtney, and Cynthia. It’s been quite some time that I’ve been able to join in the fun, and hopefully it’ll help me get into the Christmas spirit! Check out their blogs to see what’s on everyone’s holiday wish lists!
[bctt tweet=”We’re sharing our holiday wish list for the #fridayfive with @marontherun @yousignedupforwhat and @eatprayrundc! #bibchat #runchat”]
My Holiday Wish List
I never really want anything for Christmas, and I’m grateful that in my life, I’m at the point where I have just about everything that I need. That’s why I always struggle with telling people what to get me. I had to do some thinking and finally figured out what I would love to receive this year!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.
A Running Belt
I used to have a Nathan running belt when I first started running. Of course, everyone clowned me for having one, but now I really miss the convenience. For the past year, I’ve been running with my phone in my left hand (since my cell phone doesn’t fit in my armband), and my hydration in my right hand. And things get really fun in the winter when you’re wearing gloves (sarcasm). It’s time to finally get a running belt!
There are so many brands that I’ve heard about…SPIBelt, Flipbelt. I’m not sure what would work best for me, I just need it to stay still while I run and carry my things so I arms can focus on running! Do you have any favorites?
Gift Certificates to Buy Work Clothing
When I first started my new job, I had to buy a new wardrobe because I had been basically wearing a uniform in the plant for the past 3.5 years. I spent a small fortune on some great clothing at Banana Republic, H&M, and Express, and not to mention I had to buy real dress shoes! But now that winter is coming, I need some warmer clothing! Sweaters, long-sleeved tops, and more slacks are definitely needed! I would love if someone could hook me up with some gift certificates to places like The Loft, Banana Republic (oh do I love this place!), NY& Company, and even The Gap. I’m open to suggestions!
A Laptop
I have been searching for a laptop for MONTHS. I just can’t decide what would work best for me. It’s so frustrating!
I currently have an 11.6″ Samsung Chromebook, but it’s over 2 years old and it just keeps getting slower and slower. As a blogger, I really need to be able to not only do word processing but edit photos and do other fun stuff. A 13 inch screen is definitely needed! I’ve been thinking of the following brands, but just can’t make up my mind!
I never know what specs to get. I know that I want at least 256 GB of hard drive space (the Chromebook only has 16 SSD!), 8 GB of RAM, and hopefully a faster processor that’s not outdated too quickly. And I’m still on the fence as to whether I want/need an optical drive. Again, I’d love recommendations from Mac and PC lovers!
Better Headphones for Running
Again, I want to be more efficient when I run, so I’d really love some nice headphones for running. The ones I use now are okay, but difficult to keep in my ears sometimes and I’m always worried that I will lose hearing in one of the earbuds!
I really don’t know which brand would work. I’ve only heard of Yurbuds being popular. If there are Bluetooth or wireless options that work for running, that would be great. I’ve realized I actually like the old-school headphones for running even if they look silly. Again, any suggestions would be appreciated!
A Blogging Planner
This is a gift that is desperately needed to kick off 2016! I used a free printable blog planner this year, but never consistently. I have my blogging resources in several folders and files on Google Drive, I tried Evernote for awhile (and hated it), I use CoSchedule (referral link) for my editorial calendar, but I know for a fact that if I had a real hand-written planner, especially specific for bloggers, that it would be the perfect way for me to keep everything in one place.
I have been searching for a good blogging planner for weeks now. Etsy has some great resources, and I did notice the Epic Blog Planner and Badass Blogger Planner on Amazon. Then here are the more general (and expensive) life planners like the Passion Planner and Erin Condren Planner. Too many choices!
All I know is that I’d prefer something where I don’t have to print it out and bind myself (because who has time for that?!), and would prefer to have all of my blogging information in one place, not just a generic planner. Again, I’d love to hear your thoughts!
What’s on your holiday wish list?
I just got a new MacBook Pro and I love it. I’ve been a Mac user for my personal computer since college and have never regretted that. I can’t remember the specs on mind offhand – it is the smaller screen with retina display. Very lightweight. I am hoping to travel with it for the Tour de Cure next summer so I wanted it to fit in my bike pannier bags without weighing me down!
You’re not the only one in denial about the holidays…it’s not that I’m in denial per se it’s that fact that this year has flown by and time won’t stop for two seconds, lol. It definitely feels like it should still be October or something, and we are slowing starting to get cooler weather here in Florida which is why it doesn’t feel like December.
I thought about putting a new laptop on my wishlist this year. I’ve had my Toshiba for 5 1/2 years now and it’s been very good to me, but your right, the older they get the slower they go. I am hoping I can hold out till my birthday in May or next Christmas *knocks on wood* LOL.
Wasn’t it just September?? Seriously, these last few months have flown by! I had a Toshiba before my Chromebook…it’s painfully slow. Hopefully yours will keep on plugging away!
Oooh great list! I also always struggle to provide a wish list for Christmas which is not a bad thing as you mentioned 🙂 I would LOVE a new laptop but with a baby who is crawling, I can envision it getting ruined in the near future haha. And a blogging planner sounds fun! I need to get more organized with my blogging in 2016 rather than my random compilation of thoughts 😉
Real work clothes… I wish I could wear yoga pants all day every day. That would be so convenient. I always need more with each new season because I need to retire some articles of clothing every year.
LOL, I need more yoga pants! But I need work slacks a lot more…yet it’s so much easier to shop for workout stuff, haha!
I have a FlipBelt but want a hydration belt to carry my water. I need a new latptop too as mine’s on it’s last legs. I rarely turn it on anymore with it being so slow.
Slow computers are so frustrating, especially as a blogger! Hopefully Santa will take care of us!
I really like my SpiBelt. I’ve used it most of this year and its great (minimim bouncing)
Another great store for work clothing is Ann Taylor LOFT. They often have sales of 40-50% off the already sale or clearance prices! If you are shopping in Old Navy, GAP or Banana Republic, get one of their store credit cards. I use my GAP credit card at all those stores and you earn points which turn into rewards. Currently I have $30 certificate I earned from all my rewards points!
You know what, I do like the Loft too, though lately I haven’t been able to find as much good stuff when I’ve shopped there! I have definitely considered getting a credit card from GAP. That’s a really nice deal!
Finding the right headphones is always a challenge. I have a pair of the yur buds and I didn’t care for them bc the rubber part always falls out (for me anyways).
Yes, that is SO frustrating. The kind that goes over your ears works well for me, except when my ears start to hurt, sigh…
I have a Fitletic belt with a water bottle and it’s been the best! It doesn’t bounce or irritate me when I run. I’ve used it for marathons and half marathons. So I give it my stamp of approval.
Oh I hadn’t heard of the Fitletic…that sounds great, will have to check out!
A new computer is on my list too!!
Hopefully Santa will take care of that for us 🙂
Oh you’ve got such a great list! After spending so much of my time in athletic clothes, I was super pumped to have to buy a professional wardrobe. Until it turned into a huge investment. Ha! Banana Republic and Express are my go-to’s though. You’ve got excellent taste. 🙂
Thanks, Amanda! The funny thing is my boyfriend has been wearing Banana Republic to work for years, I had no idea how nice it is! We have an outlet near us which is amazing!
My vote is for the macbook. I have a mac mini and honestly it’s incredible. When I buy a new laptop, it’ll be a mac for sure. 🙂
Thanks for the vote, Courtney! Pro or Air??
I love my Erin Condren planner and I can easily use it for all my family stuff and blogging stuff. It’s great I am old school with needing to write stuff down
Oh an endorsement for Erin Condren, thanks, Deborah!
Yes! Work clothing because I have more than enough work OUT clothing!
Exactly! It always seems easy to pick up a few running things when in reality I need more dressy stuff!
I use a flipbelt and really like it. But I still use a handheld water bottle because the flip belt doesn’t have any hydration incorporated. I use yurbuds too but I may look for a wireless option too. Hope you get a lot of the stuff off your list 🙂
Thanks, Chaitali! I really need to try the FlipBelt! I’m okay with using my handheld water bottle though as long as my other hand is no longer clutching a cellphone!
I have a Flip belt and love it. I would 100% recommend it. I’d also love to receive a gift card for work clothing this year. I only recently starting a blogging planner book. I just bought a simple note book and made my own calendar/planning tools 🙂
Hope Santa is good to you!
Thanks, Anna! Another vote for FlipBelt! If I was creative I’d make my own planner but thankfully people have done this for me, lol…if only I could make a decision!
I use a Flipbelt when my pants don’t have pockets 🙂 I like it – I am not sure if I have the correct size because it always ends up at my waist. But I don’t have any chafing with it either 🙂
Good to know! I’ll definitely need to try one on before I buy it…
i LOVE my flipbelt. i’m able to carry pretty much everything i need in it, and it never bounces around or feels bulky. that would definitely be my recommendation!
LOVE my MacBook Air. So worth the money. Especially since I have a PC for work and there is no comparison. At all.
Hmmm maybe I should reconsider the MacBook Air, thanks!
I used the same graphic on my posting. Love this one! I have been using my FlipBelt since I first found out about them last year and it’s great. I’ve never tried any other kind. I love my Yurbuds as well and have not yet tried any wireless headsets. I bet they’d be pretty convenient it they work well. I hope you get the items you are wishing for!
Thanks, Diane! Yeah, it’s such a nice graphic and I added the wreath LOL. The FlipBelt seems to be winning the polls right now, lol!
A blogging planner sounds like a great idea – I also prefer and love good, old-fashioned hard copy hand-written planners 🙂 .
I just need to pick one and buy it…so many planners out there!
I definitely recommend a Macbook Air! I bought a new laptop earlier this fall when I moved and needed something more than an iPad for resume revisions and job applications, and it was a great investment. Lots of storage space, very fast, and super light (yet durable!)
As far as running belts go, I have a spibelt and I honestly don’t love it… it bounces and cuts into my sides in a way that is uncomfortable and unflattering. I’ve heard better things about the flipbelt, because it’s wider!
Last note… I know exactly how you feel about needing a new work wardrobe! For the two years of my last job in Philly, I worked in a super casual environment and wore jeans or black jeans to work almost every day… it was a project to get slacks and sweaters for a more professional work space, and I’m on the hunt for budget-friendly, but still decent quality winter gear now 🙂
Happy holidays! 🙂
Hmm, Macbook Air could be a good option too…it’s so tough to choose all the right specs, I’ve heard the Pro is much better than the Air but I don’t know! Thanks for the feedback on the SPI belt, I guess I need to try one on, maybe CitySports has some left to try? I think for the winter, we just gotta find those good weekend deals and stock up! In Michigan you’ll definitely need it 🙂
I’m a SPI belt fan! Never had any problems with it bouncing around or anything. And though I’ve had it for a while and the color’s wearing off (my phone just barely fits in it, so the corners are almost strained!) it’s holding strong!
Good to know, thanks for the tip, Margaret! My phone is huge so I wonder if it could even fit in the SPI belt…
For running belts: I have the Nathan version of the SpiBelt, and the Flipbelt too. The Flipbelt can hold way more stuff – like my phone plus my keys and my ID and fuel and stuff. My Nathan is small so it can only hold my keys and phone, and most of the time I use it I just keep my keys in there and hold my phone while running. I guess it just depends on what you need when you go running. I find knockoff SpiBelts at TJ Maxx and Marshalls a lot ( and I also bought my Yurbuds there too!) so you should check that out!
Thanks for the tip, Kristen! Hopefully the FlipBelt wouldn’t ride up on me, one of my friends really likes it too.
I agree on the headphones! I rarely run with music except in winter on treadmill and need a much better pair.
They’ve really messed up my concentration during races, so it’s been really frustrating!
Great list. The laptop is one of the hardest things for me to weigh in on, because I’m a computer geek, so to me there are a million variables that affect what is “best” for someone. In the end, to me it always comes down to what you need and budget. I’ve never been one to really say one OS is better than the other, especially since more and more stuff is available application wise on Mac. In the end, they all get the job done. I’ve used both and loved both.
Now, for the headphones, I can personally recommend the Plantronics BackBeat FIT as fantastic bluetooth headphones. I love mine and use them all the time, even outside of running. I have a full review on my blog, if you’re interested in the read.
Hope Santa is good to you and have a good weekend!
Thanks for the recommendation, John! I will definitely check your review on the headphones. I’ve just had bad luck with PC’s (dying after 2-4 years, sigh…), so I was considering investing in a Mac. I just can’t decide, that’s why I wish Santa could send me something, lol!