Friday Favorites: Blogger Edition

I can’t really say TGIF today because as I mentioned earlier this week, all of my days currently blur together and feel the same, but I know many of you are probably very pumped about the first Friday of the summer!

A couple of days ago I received a request to write a post about blogs that I enjoy reading. I thought it would be a perfect Friday Favorites topic. As most of you know, I really love celebrating other women and the awesome and inspirational things that they do so this is a post that I’m thrilled to write.

But first, my most favorite of Friday favorites today…

Finn and my Mema! I can’t get enough of these two! Visiting my family in Florida has just been the nicest change of pace and I’m beyond grateful for all of their love and help.

Okay, back to the blog world. One thing you may be surprised to learn is that the bloggers in my niche/circle are generally super kind, collaborative and all-around wonderful people. I have had the pleasure of meeting some of them in person and others I feel like I know from years of reading each other’s blogs and messaging back and forth.

Please note, this is just a selection of the bloggers who I follow and have connected with and I’m leaving many out. I’ll do a part two soon! Oh and another note, I have received so many emails and messages on Instagram from readers that start with, “I know it’s weird that I’m reaching out but I’ve been reading your blog forever…” I want to take a minute to say that connection is the BEST part of blogging. Whether it’s connection with other bloggers or with readers…it’s the fuel for the fire that keeps me writing post after post, and I know I speak for other bloggers too when I say this.

It’s never weird or random to reach out to another woman who you feel that you have a common bond or connection with, even if you feel like you only know them or follow them from afar. I really believe that connection and vulnerability is what brings us a sense of community and belonging.

Without further ado, I’m excited to introduce you to these 11 bloggers!

The Fitnessista 

Gina is one of the first “healthy living” bloggers that I started following many, many years ago. She just celebrated her 10th blog anniversary and I told her that I remember watching her workout videos trying to get inspiration for my group fitness classes when I was new to teaching 9 years ago!

She has two beautiful daughters and a military husband. I love following their family adventures as well as the content Gina produces around fitness and health.

Hungry Runner Girl

How can I say enough nice things about Janae? She’s one of the most open and authentic bloggers of them all and reading her blog makes you feel like you’re catching up with a good friend. She has a very conversational and relaxed style of writing that feels very natural and honest. I feel a little overly-invested in her family life…haha! 🙂 But seriously…her kids are the cutest!

Janae is a very dedicated and talented runner and shares daily about her runs and current training plan/goals. She regularly features great content for runners on everything from track workouts to mindset/motivation talk to podcasts for running and more.

A Lady Goes West

I love Ashley’s blog because a) she’s also a new mom, b) she lives on the complete opposite side of the country from me in the Bay Area of California and c) she has very realistic and healthy views about healthy living and fitness.

Ashley is also a fitness professional and takes a very balanced approach to fitness and health. She’s blogged in detail about her journey to getting pregnant and overcoming hypothalamic amenorrhea. She even has an e-book that some of you might be interested in reading, Fit and Fertile.

Fannetastic Food

Anne is a registered dietician living in the DC-area. She’s also a new mom and has been so very helpful to me in offering welcome advice around c-section recovery, breastfeeding and life as a new mothers.

I appreciate Anne’s focus on moving her body in ways that feel good and right for her without getting attached to any “one best way to train” and her belief in intuitive eating.

A Foodie Stays Fit

I can call Teri a real life friend and she’s one amazing lady. If you’re a runner who also loves fashion, you must follow her. I’m continually inspired by her running/training and also ability to look polished and put together on the regular…which you all know is not in my wheelhouse. Haha.

Teri ran Boston in April and her race recap is a must-read! She lives in Winston-Salem with her super sweet boxer Maizey and super cute husband Tommy.

Peanut Butter Fingers

I am so glad that Julie moved to the Charlotte-area several years ago because becoming real life friends with her has been a huge blessing. She is warm, loving, selfless and so open and honest. She truly embraces the spirit of women supporting other women…whether that be in business, in faith or in fertility/pregnancy/motherhood.

Julie and her husband Ryan are parents to three-year old Chase and just welcomed a brand new baby boy. I love reading about their day-to-day adventures and family life. Julie also shares some great recipes that are easy/attainable for every day life and motivational fitness content.

A Healthy Slice of Life

Brittany and I graduated from the University of Georgia the same year but never knew each other in college. Our paths crossed once we both lived in the Charlotte-area and found ourselves with this new side-gig of blogging.

Over the years, we’ve spent time together in brainstorming meetings that have turned into life discussions and I just find Brittany to be the most down-to-earth, humble, big-hearted person.

Her blog topics are interesting and varied and run the gamut from meal planning to home schooling to travel to plan-based eating and more.

Everyday Annie

Fun trivia! My first foray into blogging was a food blog called Bakin’ and Eggs which I started back in 2008! I connected with Annie back in the early days of food blogging when her blog was called Annie’s Eats. I’ve always adored Annie’s recipes. She’s one of those ladies who makes cooking, baking and entertaining look effortless but also attainable.

She went through a re-brand last year and her blog is now Everyday Annie and includes some lifestyle content as well. She doesn’t post as frequently as some of the bloggers above (Annie’s life is full as a physician, mom of two and barre instructor) but when she does, I always love to read!

Joy the Baker

I don’t know Joy but gosh do I ever love her. She’s witty, smart, worldly and crazy-talented in the kitchen. I enjoy her recipes but I especially love when she writes about life and current events. I look forward to her “Let It Be Sunday” post every week where she curates a collection of news stories, articles, recipes, videos, podcasts, etc. and adds short commentary.

Bess Harrington Carter

I first connected with Bess years ago when she wrote her first blog, Bess Be Fit. She’s now rebranded into Bess Harrington Carter and expanded her content beyond fitness and into fashion, travel and lifestyle.

Bess also moved to the Charlotte-area a few years ago and is so charming and lovely in person. I love the way her mind works – she has a very entrepreneurial spirit! She’s well-versed in fitness and I love her approach to it. I think you guys will really love the workouts she shares and she even has a workout plan that you can follow called Fitter.

Pinch of Yum

For me, Pinch of Yum is one of the OGs of food blogging and they’ve done SO MUCH for the food blogging community. While I love Lindsay and Bjork’s recipes, what I love and appreciate even more is what they’ve done to help other bloggers become successful through things like income reports, developing helpful plug-ins, creating a membership site where food bloggers can learn, grow and connect, producing a podcast and more. I’ve never met them but I think they are AWESOME people!

And that wraps it up for today!

What are your favorite blogs to read?