Five Favorites That Make Life Easier

I'm back with another Friday Five with Mar, Courtney, and Cynthia. I messed up the theme two weeks ago and wrote about food/drink instead of fitness, but this time I read the calendar correctly and I'm on-theme (for real) with Five Favorites That Make Life Easier.

Great Underwear
Fruit of the Loom Microfiber Low Rise Hipster
Yup, I'm going to start with undies. I used to wear fancy-ish underwear exclusively. I stocked up at Victoria's Secret and loved my Calvins (among others). VS has certainly lost quality over the past 10 years: my pairs were wildly different sizes and they'd fall apart after a few washes. I stumbled upon a pack of Low Rise Hipsters at Target and I haven't looked back since. I get them on Amazon now when I need to hit a shipping threshold and they're normally between $8.50 and 9.99. They don't ride up when I'm running (or sleeping. I hate night wedgies.) and they look fine under tight pants. The fabric is soft and a little shiny, so they look dressier than they are. Amazon randomizes the (solid) colors, but I've never received a pair I didn't love.

Durable Weekender Bag
Orla Kiely Large Overnighter
Like the underwear situation, I used to have a fancy-schmancy Kate Spade Saturday weekender bag. Over the course of several business trips I realized it wasn't cutting it. Sure it looked ok (it was black. Basic.), but the strap was thin and it dug into my shoulder. Plus, there wasn't a zipper closure so sometimes if I bumped the bag, the clasp would open. Once again, Target to the rescue. I found a waterproof Orla Kiely bag. It holds more than my Kate Space one, has great interior pockets, and came with a packable tote bag. And it was only $49! It's so durable. I love that I don't have to worry about banging it around while traveling.

Running Shorts with Pockets 
Oiselle Distance Shorts or Toolbelt Rogas
I carry several things with me on long runs: keys, credit card/ID, iPhone, and gels. I used to pack some of this stuff in a Nathan handheld water bottle with a phone pocket, but it felt like a lot of junk to carry for 10+ miles. If I didn't take water on a run I'd shove my key or phone in my sports bra and hope for the best. No thanks. In came Oiselle and their pocket situation. If they can put a pocket on something, they usually do (including hats). I love the freedom pockets give me to carry whatever I want on a run. Toolbelt Rogas were my first love, but lately I'm digging Distance Shorts.

More Appealing Drinking Water
Nuun
I'm terrible about drinking water. I routinely come home from work to realize I had coffee (and probably a little beer), but not a single drop of water. Last year I found La Croix, but unfortunately it's kind of pricey if you want more than 3 a day and the waste factor kind of bugs me (even though we recycle). So, seeking alternatives that didn't taste like crap, I decided to try Nuun. I'm still not in love with the new formula (am I alone?), but I was able to stock up on some old tubes for super cheap. I have one or two 24-32oz glasses of Nuun water a night and feel pretty ok with myself. By the way, my favorite flavor is Tri Berry and they sell Nuun at Target now. (I guess I also love Target?)

Easy Book Tracking
Goodreads
I don't know if it makes sense to list a website, but whatever. (I do what I want.) I read a lot and I don't write down the books I read in a handy journal like my mom. I rely solely on Goodreads to keep track of what I've finished and my ratings. I read a mix of borrowed books and my own books and if I was asked what I read in the past 6 months without the ability to look at Goodreads, I might remember about three books. I am thankful Goodreads allows me to free up a good chunk of brain space to remember things that really matter. If you're on Goodreads, let's be friends.