Category: Friday Favorites

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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #81

Hello all!

Happy Friday! I hope you have had a smooth and successful week and were able to celebrate Valentine’s Day or Galentine’s Day. We made it to Friday which means the weekend is just hours away! I don’t know about you, but I am ready for the weekend.

Some sweet treats from Valentine’s day!

As always, I’m linking up with Erika and Andrea for some of my favorite things this week for this week’s edition of Friday Favorites. This is a mix of some books, music, food and some recent refreshes.

Let’s dive right in!

New Chair Cover- I’ve had the same desk and chair in my room since the second grade (yes, I still live at home and it’s one of the best decisions I’ve made). The desk and chair are in great condition, however, they have endured wear and tear over the years, so I’ve had to get the chair re-upholstered a few times. This chair covering has gone from pink, to checkered, and now patterned. After more rips and tears, I decided to get it cleaned up again, rather than buy new. I found some of this patterned Paris fabric from a local remanent store and brought it to an upholstery store to get it fixed up. I’ve had it on my to-do list to get fixed for months and I finally got accomplished it. I’m so happy I was able to keep what I had and spruce it up rather than buy new. If you are looking to update something in your home, here’s your sign to do it.

New Lock Screen- Speaking of refreshes, this may sound silly, but I updated my lock screen for my cell phone and it was such a good reminder that the little things truly make the biggest difference when it comes to bringing joy in my life. I found this picture on Pinterest and swapped out the colors for my clock. I had a winter/Christmas background and now this one of Paris reminds me of the month of love. It’s a small change, but it makes me smile especially as we make our way through a new month. 

Little Italian Hotel– I finished “The Little Italian Hotel” on Libby this past week. I listened to it as an audiobook and loved my experience with it. I don’t often listen to audiobooks, but I decided to give it a try and was so happy I did. The story follows a talk show host who ends up taking her anniversary trip alone. Rather than go with her husband, she invites four strangers to accompany her. The five people bond over heartbreak and become friends as they create memories during their three-week trip abroad. I listened to the book in the car, while I was jogging, and while I was cleaning and doing things around the house. I like the narrator’s voice and she had me hooked the entire time.

Stir Fry- I have been enjoying easy meals this winter. I love easy soup and sandwich nights, a soup and salad for lunch or a stir fry. A hearty stir fry has been a go-to for lunches and dinners. I love this meal because it’s a great way to use what you have in your fridge and not waste food, it combines a lot of food groups, and it’s fast. This past week, I used leftover ground beef, rice and some frozen veggies to put together this meal in under 20 minutes. Major win! I also have made chicken stir frys, veggie frys and shrimp stir frys too….the possibilities are truly endless. 

Billy Joel’s New Song– I know this is a few weeks old, but I have been listening to Billy Joel’s new song “Turn the Lights Back On”, non-stop. This is the first song he has released in 30 years and it’s so good. I love the message and the melody. I really appreciated his performance during the Grammy’s too. If you haven’t listened to it, give it a listen.

That’s a look at some of the things I have been loving this week.

Tell me, what are some of your favorite things from this past week?

Let me know in the comments below!

Have a great weekend!

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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #80

Hello! Hello!

A happy Friday to you all! I hope you had a wonderful first full week of February! We are just under a week away from Valentine’s Day, are you planning on celebrating this weekend or waiting until the day of? I’m planning on doing a little bit of both. As we await the weekend, I’m sharing from favorite things from this past week as I like up with Erika and Andrea.

I have some snacks, shows, books and fascinating reads. Let’s dive right in!

Lost and Found in Paris- I picked up this book after seeing it pop up on a few blogs late last year and was expecting a chick-flick/rom-com-esque story and I got so much more than that. Lost and Found in Paris is about a young woman who travels to Paris for work after a major shift in her relationship. She’s hoping to find herself and deliver a piece of artwork to a client. When the artwork goes missing, she’s forced to go on a bit of a treasure hunt around Paris with someone she meets in the city of lights. Through the course of the book, she learns more about herself than she was every anticipating. I loved this book and it’s in the running for a top book of the year.

My Life with the Walter Boys– This mini-series came on Netflix at the end of 2023, and I had it on my watchlist for a while before I finally got to dive in. Once I started, I finished it in a week and really enjoyed getting to know the characters and the story. It’s all about a young girl who moves in with a large family filled with boys, all of whom she’s never met. She’s forced to navigate high school, new friendships, a budding relationship and some drama along the way. It has some high school drama vibes (very PG-13), but a cute show to get lost in over the winter months.

Such a cute min-series

Reese’s Dipped Animal Crackers-If you like a perfect mix of chocolate, peanut butter and crunch, this may be the snack for you. I have seen these on the shelves for weeks if not months and finally decided to give them a try and really enjoyed them. I have a huge, sweet tooth and chocolate and peanut butter is one of my favorite combinations. I loved the sweetness and saltiness these snacks provide. I will definitely be getting them again, plus how can you resist anything from Hershey’s?!

Roasted Chickpeas-From indulging to healthy choices. I also saw these on the shelves at the grocery store and was intrigued. I love Everything Bagel seasoning from Trader Joe’s (even though we don’t have one near us, whenever I am near one, I always get their seasoning.) These roasted chickpeas are the perfect snack to munch on if you are looking for something healthy that cures a salty fix too. I have just been enjoying them on their own, but I think they would taste great in a salad too.

Hard Seasons and Wild Hearts– I have always been a fan of Brene Brown and her books and Ted Talks. She’s been pretty quiet over the last few months, and she came out with a long essay last week talking about what she’s been up to and where she plans to go from here. In this essay she discusses the challenges and hurdles she’s overcome and how she’s still healing, recovering, and learning from them. Not only did I appreciate the update, but I also found the advice about overcoming the tough seasons in life and how to move past them to be relatable too. Definitely worth the read.

That’s a brief glimpse into life nowadays and things that have been bringing unexpected moments of joy! This weekend, I challenge you to find the pockets of joy every day! Happy Friday!

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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #79

Hello all!

Happy Friday! I hope you all are enjoying your week and have something fun planned for the weekend as we enjoy the first few days of a new month. I’m excited to dive into all things Valentine’s Day and love.

As always, I’m linking up with Erika and Andrea for this week’s Friday Favorites as I share some of my favorite things from this past week. Let’s dive right in!

Thermos– I got this Thermos for Christmas and really have been loving it. I sometimes take soup or pasta to work, but didn’t always have the proper container to keep it warm and insulated. After I started using the thermos, it truly solves my problems. It keeps my food warm and fresh when I have warmer dishes, but it also does a great job at keeping my salads cool too. It’s also a great size for portions. Although, I tend to have access to a microwave to heat things up, this has been a great tool when I am on the go.

The Senator’s Wife– I finished The Senator’s Wife by Liv Constantine and absolutely loved it. I checked it out through Libby, an app that you can check out E-Books or Audiobooks through your library. I really have been loving it, I’m currently listening to an audiobook now. The Senator’s Wife is a drama/thriller that involves a senator and his new wife and some of the challenges and drama they go through, especially when she starts to get very sick. The story is through four different perspectives as the events unfold. The middle and ending were so good that I kept looking for pockets of time to read more, that’s when you know it’s a good book. 

Indoor Cycling– We have been getting lots of snow over the past few weeks which means I haven’t been able to get outdoors for running. I’ve done some running on the treadmill, but have also enjoyed indoor cycling to get my cardio in. Although I prefer running more, riding the bike has been a great alternative in the winter months. I often listen to a podcast or audiobook when I’m on the bike, or I’ll respond to emails. I like trying different forms of cardio when working out, just to work on different muscle groups. I may even lean more into outdoor cycling when in the spring and summer

Pinterest Recipes- A lot of recipes I have been trying recently have come from Pinterest. I have been using Pinterest almost as google when it comes to trying new dishes. I love finding different recipes and meals to put together on Pinterest and most of the time the directions are easy to follow. I have had success in the kitchen recently and plan to keep testing out new recipes, whether they be meals or a baked good (or both) every week. Tell me what are some of your favorite cozy recipes?

Air Fryer Recipes– From one meal related topic to another. My family got an Air Fryer for Christmas and have used it a handful of times but want to use it more. What are some of your favorite Air Fryer recipes? I’m looking for healthy food options. We have tried chicken tenders and enjoyed them and have also tried to heat up different foods like pizza, wings, etc. For any Air Fryer lovers out there, what are your favorite things to make and what should I try? Let me know in the comments below! I appreciate any suggestions. Thank you in advance!!!

That’s a look into life lately and what I’m loving. Tell me: what’s been catching your eye this week? 

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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #78

Hello all!

Happy Friday!

I hope you had a great week and have something fun planned for the weekend. I can’t believe we are looking ahead to the last weekend of January. This month went by so fast, I have a love/hate relationship with January. I love the clean slate and freshness that comes with a new month, but I don’t like the cold and how after the holidays there’s not as much to look forward to. I try to put things on the calendar or make plans so I have something to look forward to in the winter months. That being said, I am looking forward to February and a new month.

Fresh cookies on cold, winter days

This week’s roundup of Friday Favorites is giving me something to smile about and look forward to. 

Here’s some of my favorite things this week as I link up with Erika and Andrea.

New Candle– There’s no better pairing than a cold, snowy, day and a warm, burning candle. I have been using this candle, Winter, from Bath and Body Works all month long in the morning and night. It’s hard to describe the scent, it’s not overpowering with fragrance. It has a subtle, natural scent, that’s perfect for a fresh start. It definitely smells like nature with some of the notes. Although I use it in my room, it would be great in a common space like a living room or dining room too. I don’t often purchase candles from Bath and Body Works due to the cost, but I couldn’t wait to try this one I got for Christmas.

 Maestro– Have you watched Maestro yet on Netflix? It tells the story of American composer, Leonard Bernstein. Bradley Cooper, directed, produced, and starred in the movie that has already gained nominations at several different award shows. I heard a lot of mixed reviews about the movie, and I was anxious to see it for myself. I learned a lot about Bernstein; his life, his music, his marriage and personal life. I thought there would be more about his music and work as a composer, but the movie focused more on his marriage and the relationships he had. The movie was interesting, and I learned a lot about the man that had a lot to do with the music we still listen and recognize today. My biggest takeaway was how much Cooper transformed into the character. He deserves all the awards for this role. 

Favoriting Photos– This isn’t a new concept by any means, but I found a new life hack and wanted to share it with you. Favoriting photos on my iPhone has been such a game changer for me. I use my camera a lot not only for taking planned photos, but also for taking photos of things that are important and don’t want to forget. Having important photos saved in one spot makes it so easy to find things. I also create folders for my photos for projects too. But, if I need to save a password or username or important photo, I know it’s saved in one spot. This is a great tool for helping organize your photos.

Mini Notebooks– By now you probably know I am a huge fan of Simplified. I use their planner daily and some of their products too. I have several of their mini notebooks but didn’t know the best way to use them in my life. At the start of the year, I finally came up with a great system to use them. I was constantly finding myself grabbing scrap paper or post-it notes to write down to-dos or reminders and would either end up losing the papers or I would end up with several post it notes. I decided to use one of the notebooks to put all the lists in. Each week I start a new page and write down any extra to-dos that need done over the course of the week. In my planner, I write down specific to-dos for each day, but I use my mini notebooks almost as a brain dump for all the extra things that need done. I have a running list in one spot and I’m not constantly writing down notes on random pieces of paper. This has been a huge help for me this year.

Matching mini notebook and planner

New Car Scent– I promise this is my last favorite thing of new scents, but it turned out that all my scents got swapped through this month. It seemed like the theme was new year/month, new scents. I always like a fresh and refreshing scent in my car. This Eucalyptus and Spearmint scent was just the thing I was looking for when I wanted to update my scent from Bath and Body Works. The scent is a bit stronger which I prefer especially if I’m driving around or if I have food or something heavily scented in my car. I always love a refreshing smell and this didn’t disappoint.

That wraps up another round of Friday Favorites. As we wrap up this month, I hope you find something that brings a smile to your face. I always try to remind myself that we can find joy and happiness in the smallest and most mundane things in life.

Have a fabulous weekend!

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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #77

Hello All!

Happy Friday!

I hope you had a great week! I like this time of year since it really forces you to slow down and rest. I’ve been spending more time indoors, reading, cooking, and watching movies, however, I do miss getting outdoors for fresh air but right now, 32 degrees doesn’t seem too pleasant to enjoy. I’ve also been doing my best to catch up with friends after the holidays. I got to see friends before things got busy in December, but now that things have calmed down, it’s been good to get back into a routine of seeing my people.

Warm soup on a cold day

As we finish up another work week, I’m sharing a fun batch of favorites from the past week as I Iink up with Erika and Andrea for this week’s Friday Favorites.

I have a mixed bag of things I’m loving and using this week. 

Family Switch– Have you seen the Family Switch on Netflix? I had it on my watch list for a while and some of my family members and I watched it right after the holidays. I was really looking forward to seeing the movie since the concept looked cute and I liked the casting. The movie was good, but not great. There were some cheesy and unrealistic parts and lines, but the overall the message was cute. The movie follows a family whose bodies and personalities all get swapped with one another right before Christmas. The theme of the movie is all about living in someone else’s shoes and learning from each other. This would be a good family movie or a good movie to have on in the background if you are working on other projects. Tell me: if you have seen it, what did you think of it?

New Journal-New year, new journal. Every year I get a different journal and I take my time picking it out, based on what I want to reflect on or what I need it for. I got this journal for Christmas, and it fits exactly what I was looking for in a journal for this year. It’s organized a bit more like a planner, so you can use it as a planner if you choose,  but you can fill out your monthly goals and dreams, there’s a spot for daily musings or writings and there’s inspirational quotes and stickers found throughout the book. I always do my journaling in the morning and I’m looking forward to filling out this journal through the year.

New Room Scent– The Christmas scents are done and now it’s time for warm, winter scents. Snowflakes and Cashmere is my new wall flower scent. Like many scents I enjoy, this has a subtle, sweet scent that isn’t too overpowering. I did a post a while back, but I always like to have some scent in my room, whether it be a candle burning, a wall flower plugged in, or a diffuser going. I never have them all operating at one time, but I change them out depending on what I’m feeling and what scent I’m going for. I like the freshness a wall flower provides and how it can automatically elevate a space based on scent. 

Meet the Parents Series– This may seem like a silly favorite since it’s far from new, but it’s a favorite for me this week. My boyfriend and I have been making our way through the Meet the Parents series on Netflix. I have only seen parts of the movies, but we decided to sit down and watch them together over the course of a week after work and on the weekends. One of my favorite things about streaming services like Netflix or Amazon Prime is finding older movies to watch or re-watch. We have been loving watching these movies from the early to mid 2000’s, from the one-liners to the quirky family dynamics, it’s been such a fun watch. If you have any classic comedies or dramas that you enjoy, drop them below!

Green Concealer– I have red undertones in my skin complexion so I often use a green primer or concealer. I had been using NYX green concealer, but when the store didn’t have any in stock, I decided to give Maybelline’s green concealer a try and have been very pleased with how it’s been working. I like how smooth the stick goes on my face. It blends in really well and it works well with the other products I use on my face, from skin care to makeup. I’ll use this stick until it runs out and then I will decide if I want to go back to NYX or stick with this.

That’s a look into what I’ve been loving and what has been working for me. Tell me: what are some things you have been loving this week? 

 I hope you have a great weekend!

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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #76

Happy Friday friends! I hope you had a great week and are ready for the weekend. Maybe you have something fun planned whether it’s a date night, hanging with your girlfriends or tackling some house projects.

We are in a new year and that means lots of fresh starts and new beginnings which evident in today’s Friday Favorites. I also got some fun presents for Christmas, so I’ll be sharing those in the coming weeks too. As always, I’m linking up with Erika and Andrea. for some new favorite things this week and year. 

New Lotion-Strawberry Snowflakes– The timing worked out perfectly that I needed a new scent as the new year rolled around. I got Strawberry Snowflakes lotion and body spray for Christmas, and I have really been enjoying the warm scent with a hint of sweetness. I like body sprays and lotions that have a bit of a sweet or refreshing scent, but that’s not too overpowering or strong. I don’t splurge too often on Bath and Body Works, but when I do, I make sure it’s during one of their major sales they have throughout the year. This has been a luxurious way to treat myself every day.

New Planner– I purchased my Simplified 2024 Yearly planner back in the fall, but just started using it last week and it has been a favorite of mine. Before the new year begins, I always like spending some time setting up my new planner with dates to remember, goals to follow and items to track. I made a few minor changes of how I plan to use my planner more efficiently this year and I’m eager to see if these new systems work. It feels so good to start the new year out with a clean slate and new planner. I also will be using their mini notebooks to keep track of notes and to-do’s that come up through the week as well.

New year, new planner

Near in the Night– I purchased the second devotional, Near in the Night from Emily Ley last year, but saved it to start at the start of the new year. I typically do my quiet time in the morning, but it has been nice to wind down with some reading and reflection at the end of the day too. It’s been a soothing way to get off my screen a bit earlier in the evening and read and unwind before I head to bed. Plus, I love the way Emily writes and have really enjoyed the scriptures she chose reflect on.

Libby– Speaking of reading, it’s no secret that reading is one of my favorite hobbies. I always read every day, even if it’s just for a few minutes. I recently downloaded the Libby app, which allows you to check out EBooks and audiobooks from your local library. I prefer reading hardcover or paperback books as opposed to reading them on a screen, but I have found that if I have a book on my phone, I’m more apt to read it as opposed to scrolling through social media. I’m currently reading “The Senator’s Wife”, both the book and Libby have been favorites for this book lover.

Clutch Charger-I got a Clutch charger for Christmas and this has been a favorite tech device for me. This slim, portable charger attaches to the back of your cell phone with a magnetic ring and provides a fast charge to your cell phone. It isn’t big or bulky and it charges both as a device and your phone fast. I can’t wait to use this charger more when I travel more through the year. Plus, the pink color sparks joy for me too!

That’s a roundup of some of my favorite things from this past week and from the new year.

What’s something that has brought you joy this week? Let me know in the comments below!

Happy Friday!

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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #75

Hello all! 

Happy Friday!

We made it through the first week of January! How was your first week of the New Year? Have you started chipping away at your New Year’s Resolutions or giving yourself some grace this first week of the year? I know I enjoyed getting back into a routine and doing some cleaning, we still have all our Christmas decorations up which makes our home feel extra cozy. Regardless of how you are spending this week, I hope it’s been a good one. 

I saw this quote and thought it was so timely especially if you are embracing these next few months as a slower time.

Today I’m sharing some last of holiday fun and some new favorites from this week as I link up with Erika and Andrea for another roundup of favorites for the first week of the new year!

Books Beach and Beyond– I heard about this podcast, Books Beach and Beyond in the fall but didn’t have a chance to start listening to it until the Christmas holiday. If you are a book lover like me, then you will love this podcast. Author, Elin Hilderbrand hosts the podcast with Tim Ehrenberg, and they talk to different authors about their books, where they get their inspiration from and what projects they are working on. The two hosts have interviewed Taylor Jenkins Reid, Colleen Hoover, Ann Patchett and Kristin Hannah, just to name a few. This podcast is so informative, and it gives great insight into the literary world. I really have been enjoying this podcast and hope they bring it back for season two in the new year.

A new favorite podcast

Candy Cane Lane-We watched Candy Cane Lane for a family movie night over Christmas break. The movie stars Eddie Murphy and it’s all about a man who loves Christmas. He participates in a house decorating contest, but gets caught up in signing a deal in hopes of winning, which results in some magic getting out of hand. The movie follows the classic Twelve Days of Christmas song as each of the items comes to life. There are a lot of good one-liners and fun catch phrases in the movie too. This was the perfect family movie that held everyone’s attention in my house. If you are still in the Christmas spirit, you can watch it on Amazon Prime.

Such a cute movie!

Wordle party game– We got the Wordle party game for Christmas and it has been a huge hit in our home. A few of my siblings and I play Wordle every day, so this game takes it to the next level. Up to four people can play the game. One person chooses the five-letter word, and all the players have to guess the word using the same rules as the daily game on the New York Times. If you are a fan of Wordle, this game is definitely worth the buy, plus it forces you to really put your thinking cap on.

A great family game

Mighty Patch– As far as beauty products go, the Mighty Patch has been a new favorite for me. I tried using the Mighty Patches after I got them as a gift and have been impressed with how well they work. These clear patches go over any blemishes you may have for a faster clear-up of your face. You can get them for overnight wear or daily wear. I tried a sample pack of both and found that the overnight patches work better. This product won’t solve all your acnes issues, but it does help if you are looking for a quick fix here or there.

Chopped Pomegranate Salad– I love a good salad, but I’m not one to purchase bagged salads too often due to the expense, I would rather make a salad with vegetables I already have at home and on hand. However, we picked up a few chopped salads to go with some appetizer nights and they were a hit. I really enjoyed this pomegranate salad, it’s a perfect blend of flavors for fall and winter.  We enjoyed this salad with some other snack bites, but it could also go great with a pizza night or with a protein like chicken or steak.

 That’s a look into some of the things that I have been loving this week, from the last bit of holiday fun to games, beauty products and food, there was something for everyone. I hope you have a relaxing and cozy weekend as we begin a new month.

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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #74

Hello All! Happy Friday-the last one of 2023!

I hope you have been enjoying this week with loved ones and soaking up the Christmas season. The week between Christmas and New Years is always an interesting week, you either are busy visiting family and doing all the activities or you are enjoying quiet and slow days at home, or you may be working, and it may be a normal week. Regardless of how you are spending the week, I hope it has been an enjoyable one. 

A calm Christmas morning

For the final Friday Favorites of the year, I’m sharing some fun NYE looks with some sweet treats and a last dose of holiday fun before it’s back to reality next week. Here’s what I’m loving as I link up with with Erika and Andrea. 

Velvet Blazer and Pants– This would be a perfect look for New Year’s Eve! I love this black velvet blazer from Old Navy alongside these black pants with some simple velvet polka dots. You can add this blazer to a pair of jeans to dress up and outfit or you can add this blazer to a dress to stay warm. I loved this combination, and I wore it to work, and the look turned out perfectly. Definitely take a peek into Old Navy if you are looking for a new outfit this winter season.

A great outfit for New Year’s Eve

Gingerbread Cookie Recipe– I did a lot of baking over the holidays and for the holidays and I tried a lot of recipes thanks to Pinterest. I tried Gingerbread cookies for the first time, and I was surprised at how easy the recipe was. I was already baking a gingerbread loaf and these cookies required most of the same ingredients which made it even easier to make. These would be such an easy cookie to make next Christmas or in the winter if you are craving a warm spice filled cookie. Definitely take a look at Pinterest if you are looking to try a new recipe or two. 

First batch of cookies from the oven.

Bright Christmas Morning scent-I know Christmas morning is over but I had to share this scent, Bright Christmas Morning from Bath and Body Works that I got as a gift. I’m not sure if I will be wearing this scent now or saving it for next Christmas. Regardless, I love the sweet and warm scent the lotion, spray, and body wash brings. It’s not too strong of a scent but it does have a nice, subtle smell.

Such a festive scent

Christmas in London– I finished Christmas in London right before Christmas. I have read some of Anita Hughes other Christmas books and really enjoyed the Hallmark plot with some more drama to them. Christmas in London is all about a baker in New York City who gets the opportunity to be on a cooking show in London for Christmas. I loved the heavy description of London in the winter and around Christmas, it sounded magical. Plus, the details of all the recipes had my mouth watering. Such a fun book to read right before Christmas.

Such a fun read before the holidays

Jingle Blend– I picked up this holiday mix for a night of appetizers, but it would be great for a New Year’s Eve or Day party. I love the mix of sweet and salty that this blend provides. There’s chocolate, pretzels, nuts, and candies. My weakness are trail mixes especially when there’s both sweet and salty involved. Definitely worth the purchase from Target. 

The best mix for the holidays.

That’s a look into some of my favorite things as we wrap up the holiday season and get back into a routine next week. I hope you have an enjoyable New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day! I’ll see you back here in the new year. 

Have a safe and happy new year!

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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #73

Hello all and Happy Friday! It’s the Final countdown to Christmas! 

Are your cookies baked and presents wrapped? I am ready for Christmas and now it’s just about enjoying the next few days with family and loved ones. I love this time of year, everyone in my family is home for the next few weeks and between work, it will be nice to have some time to spend together.

Ready for the big day!

I have one final Christmas round-up of Friday Favorites. Today, I’m linking up with Erika and Andrea for a very festive edition of Friday Favorites.

Here’s what I’m loving this week:

Red Lipstick-I’m not a big, bright and bold lipstick person, but I do tend to wear it around the holidays. I have been wearing and loving red lipstick this time of year. I like to use it as a pop of color to break up a solid outfit, like a black dress. I also like wearing a red lipstick with my red coat that I got at Old Navy last year. I break it out around Christmas and Valentine’s Day for a fun pop of color. My go-to color is from CoverGirl. It’s long-lasting and doesn’t smudge. Two wins in my book!

A red lip makes everything fun!

Gingerbread recipe– I have been doing a lot of baking and trying new recipes. I tried my first Gingerbread loaf recipe, and it was a success. I like gingerbread in small doses and this loaf had the perfect mix of warm spices and flavor. I may have overfilled the pan a bit, but besides that, the loaf was delicious. I found the recipe on Pinterest, that’s my go-to for coming up with ideas for recipes. Here’s the recipe if you want to try it for yourself. 

My first gingerbread loaf

Popcorn Bar– I talked about my popcorn bar in my post on Wednesday but wanted to share more about it today. A popcorn bar is such a fun and festive way to elevate your movie night or holiday part. Here’s how to do it, pop your favorite popcorn and then put out your favorite seasonings or add your own flavors. For our popcorn bar, we popped a big batch of popcorn and then divided it up. We did some chocolate sea salt (melt chocolate and drizzle over and add salt and let it harden), we also did a movie theater flavoring, we did a regular batch (some salt and then butter) and then my personal favorite, kettle corn (this was the hardest to make, I found a recipe on Pinterest that includes using sugar and oil, it wasn’t hard to make but it requires constant attention). You can choose to add your favorites seasonings and flavors or candies like mints, marshmallows or chocolate chips to add some fun to your next movie night or holiday get together.

Best Christmas Ever– I kept getting ads for Best Christmas Ever on Netflix and decided to give it a go and I am so glad I did. It’s all about a woman who through unexpected circumstances spends Christmas with a fellow friend from college who she is envious of due to her picture-perfect life. However, as the two women spend more time together, not everything is a perfect as it seems. This was a light-hearted movie that’s great for families, but there were a few mature scenes. Overall, it gets 5 stars from me.

Winter Stroll– I’m rounding this Friday Favorites up with Winter Stroll by Elin Hilderbrand. It’s the second book out of a five-book series. It follows the story of a large, interconnected family through Christmas year after year. When I picked up this book from the library, I didn’t realize it was the second book out of five, it took me a moment to get caught up with the characters, but once I did, I really enjoyed it and got immersed in it. It takes place over one weekend in Nantucket for the traditional island Stroll. There’s lots of Nantucket references and so much Christmas and holiday descriptions. This was a great book to get in the Christmas spirit, just make sure you start with the first book, haha!

That’s a look into the final week before Christmas for me. A lot of holiday cheer and final preps too. My gifts are mailed and everything is wrapped, now it’s time to relax and celebrate the holidays. I hope you and yours have a very Merry Christmas.

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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #72

Hello all!

Happy Friday! I can’t believe we are halfway through December, this month has been flying by and I am trying to soak up as much Christmas cheer as I can. I’ve been checking things off my Christmas bucket list slowly, but surely. I have been watching Christmas movies, enjoying hot cocoa, and I’ve gone skating a handful of times already this season. I am here for all things holiday cheer.

Hot cocoa and a holiday movie!

I’m sticking with the Christmas theme for this week’s Friday Favorites as I link up with Erika and Andrea or a fun roundup of Friday Favorites!

Giant Eagle Holiday Mix-I am a sucker for a festive holiday mix. I saw this holiday trail mix at the entrance of Giant Eagle when I was picking up some groceries and I had to try it. It’s the perfect mix of sweet and salty and it’s festive too. I’ve enjoyed it while wrapping gifts, watching Christmas movies and just relaxing. This would be a great addition to a charcuterie board or for a night of appetizers. Yum!

A new favorite snack

Christmas Movie Countdown– Speaking of Christmas cheer, I have been trying to watch a Christmas movie or program a night or when I can. I have been mixing in the classics with some new releases too. Shawn Johnson East and her husband, Andrew work with a company called “Family Made” and they put out a Christmas movie countdown to Christmas. They are all family movies, but I have been watching them too and crossing them off my list of holiday movies. It’s been so fun to tap into the nostalgia of childhood memories too.

Brownie Recipe– I’ve been slowly baking my Christmas cookies for the season and trying new recipes along the way. I baked my first batch of homemade brownies and although they were not as good as the Betty Crocker box recipe, they were still tasty. I got the recipe from Mix and Match Mama, and they were super easy to make. I may tweak the recipe a bit and may try some other flavors like peppermint, but I was proud of my first homemade batch! Stay tuned for more holiday recipes in the coming weeks.

A new recipe for me!

Crown Returns– The final six episodes of the Crown dropped yesterday. I have slowly started to make my way through them, but I am savoring each episode since I know the end is near. If you haven’t started watching yet, here’s the trailer and more information from TVLine. I really am looking forward to seeing how everything wraps up even though we know what happens in real life. I will also be following along with Elizabeth Holmes’ podcast as well to hear her insights on the final episodes.

A Likely Story– I am in Christmas book heaven right now with all the cheesy and warm Christmas novels, but before I began, I read A Likely Story by Leigh McMullan Abramson. It follows the story of a young woman who is aspiring to follow in her father’s footsteps and be a writer, however she has some challenges getting there. When her mother passes away, she finds an old manuscript, but who wrote it and what will our protagonist do with it? This story follows the family through the years and through a web of secrets that slowly unravels through the book. This book kept me hooked so much so, I woke up early to read the last 100 pages. Definitely a great read for a cozy day in the winter.

A great book for the fall

That’s a look into life lately and some of my favorite things, lots of yuletide cheer this holiday season. I hope you do something fun and festive this weekend as we countdown to Christmas. 

Have a holly, jolly weekend!