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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #23


Happy Friday friends! I hope you all had a wonderful week. This was a busy, but good week, so I was very happy when the weekend arrived. 

As the colder temperatures settle in, I have been spending more time indoors. I still have been trying to get outdoors for fresh air and exercise, but it can get tricky. This week’s Friday Favorites is a mix of indoor and outdoor fun. Here’s a few things I’m loving this week as I link up with  Erika and Andrea.

Winter Walks– I took advantage of the mild weather last week and got in a two mile walk on a day off. Thankfully, the wind wasn’t too horrible and I bundled up, but it was so good to get in a nice long walk, have good conversations and get an extra workout in. I’m hoping to make it a habit on days with mild winter weather. 

Just Feed Me– I really enjoyed taking up cooking and trying new recipes last year, but have been slipping due to busy schedules. I got Just Feed Me by Jessie James Decker for Christmas and have been loving looking for new recipes to try. I made Jessie’s Chicken Noodle Soup last week and it was so good. I made a big batch with plenty of leftovers for lunches. I’m looking forward to trying more recipes this winter and in the spring and summer too. 

Warm soup for a cold day.

Knives Out: Glass Onion-After seeing lots of previews for Knives Out Glass Onion, I couldn’t wait to watch it. I enjoyed the first movie and really enjoyed the second. I liked the ensemble cast, the surprise cameos and most of all, the mystery of “Who Done It”. There was lots of twists and turns and right when you thought you figured it all out, there was another curveball. 10/10 recommend watching it for your next movie night on Netflix.

The People We Hate at the Wedding– Another movie, but a different genre I enjoyed watching was “The People We Hate at the Wedding”, you can find this on Amazon Prime and it’s the perfect rom-com. This movie follows two siblings and their mother who travel to England for their half-sister’s wedding. There’s a few bumps to get to the big day, but it’s filled with lots of family drama, laughs, love, and the movie wraps with a happy ending. 

Apple Devices Charging Station-I got a new charging station for Christmas and it’s been one of my new favorite things. First, I love that you can charge your phone, watch and airpods (if you have them) all in one spot. My cords would constantly be getting tangled and it’s much more convenient to have everything charging in the area. I also love the white color (it matches my room and is very sleek). Lastly, I appreciate how it doubles as a stand for my phone too. This has been a practical and fun Christmas gift.

That’s just a look into a few things I’m loving this week. I Hope you have a wonderful, winter weekend. See you on Wednesday!

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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #22

Hey everyone! 

Happy Friday! We made it through the first full week of 2023! How did your first week go? Was it hard to get back into the daily routines or were you ready for that sense of normalcy?

As much as I LOVE the holidays, I was happy to get back into a new routine. Now, that we have week one almost in the book, let’s get to some Friday Favorites, shall we? Here’s some things I’m loving as I link up with  Erika and Andrea for another edition of Friday Favorites:

New Planner

I kicked off the new year with a new planner by Simplified. I went with the pattern Charlotte Street this year and have been loving it so far. The bright pinks and greens bring me so much joy! I spent some time getting it all set up last week and it feels so good to have a fresh planner to keep track of my life with. I am always on the go, so having my planner with me makes me feel in control of my schedule all the time, plus how can you resist this fun pattern?!

Hello 2023 planner!

New Journal and Devotional

With a new year comes a new journal and devotional. I picked up this journal from Barnes and Noble and have been loving the daily, guided prompts. I do my journaling in the morning and it allows me to reflect on the day before and look forward to what each new day will bring. To go alongside my journal, I picked up Emily Ley’s new devotional “Sure as the Sunrise”. I ordered it a while back, but waited until the new year to begin. For 100 days, there’s different reflections, Bible verses and a prompt for you to think about.  This has been so handy for me to read and then journal my thoughts. I’m excited to see where this year takes me.

My new journal and devotional for this year.

Emily in Paris

Emily in Paris has been out for a few weeks, but I finally got around to watching the new season between Christmas and New Year’s and I loved it. From the fashion to the friendship, the beautiful French scenery, it makes me want to travel to Paris even more. If you have watched it, what did you think of the cliffhanger in the finale? Were you shocked or did you see it coming? I can’t wait for the new season!

Such a fun series!

40 Books Read in 2022

A new year brings new books to read, I am so proud that last year I read 40 books! This is the most books I’ve read in a year. The year started out slow, but quickly picked up. I read lots of different genres from fiction to non-fiction, some mystery, thriller and memoirs. I discovered new authors and re-read some classics and enjoyed getting lost in different worlds. I already have quite a few books on my shelf that I can’t wait to dig into. I am always looking for new suggestions, if you have them, let me know in the comments!

Just one of the many great books I read.

Healthy Meals

After indulging too much over the holidays, I am getting back on track with healthy eating. All this week, I have been enjoying more fruits, veggies, snack plates and salads for lunch and dinner. As much as I love my sweets, it feels so good to be eating better and having more energy. One of my goals for the new year was to eat healthier and I am on the right track this year. 

That’s just a look into some things I have been loving this week. A new year means fresh starts and new beginnings and that’s what this week has felt like to me! 

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #21

Hey everyone! Happy Friday! It’s the LAST Friday of 2022 and what a year it has been. This past week has been fast and slow in the best ways. I got quality time with family, time lounging and relaxing and getting reset for the new year. Ready or not, 2023 is coming. Here’s five things I’m loving this week as I link up with  Erika and Andrea for another edition of Friday Favorites:

Christmas Treats-This week has been full of so many Christmas treats! From cookies, to popcorn, trail mix and more. I’ve been trying to maintain balance, but it’s easier said than done. I’m looking forward to restarting and getting back to healthier habits next year.

A look at some of my favorite treats.

Sauce Holder– I love sauces and condiments with my meals, especially when it comes to fast foods, like fries or nuggets. I got this super handy gadget for Christmas and can’t wait to use it in the car. A sauce holder for the road, such a fun, creative and useful concept. Love it! I’ll report back after I use it.

Such a fun and practical gift.

Exploding Kittens– My siblings and I got this as a gift for Christmas and had so much fun playing this card game. Up to five people can play and it’s a fun game that doesn’t take too long to get through, plus it’s easy to learn so all ages can participate. I’m looking forward to more board games nights in the winter months. 

Something From Tiffany’s– I have been wanting to watch this movie for a few weeks and finally watched it this past week. It’s a cute rom-com that follows two couples when their packages from Tiffany’s get switched and they end up meeting with hopes to exchange gifts, until they start to fall for each other. There’s a happy ending that will have you grinning from ear to ear.

Such a fun rom-com.

Christmas Decor– I know some people like to take their Christmas decorations the day after Christmas, while others keep it up until after New Year’s, I am the latter. I love to keep up all the decorations for as long as possible. After all the hustle and bustle over the past six weeks, it’s so nice to be able to enjoy the decorations and sit by the tree all lit up, simply beautiful and magical.

Beautiful night by the tree.

That’s a look into life this past week. I hope you have a safe and relaxing New Year’s weekend. 

See you in 2023 for a look at my New Year’s Resolutions. Happy New Year!

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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #20

Hey hey! Happy Friday and happy day before Christmas Eve! I hope you are able to slow down and enjoy the next few days with family and loved ones. I absolutely love this time of year, after all the anticipation and build up, we can all (hopefully) enjoy some time to slow down and reset with family and friends. 

Here’s a few things I’ve been loving this past week for this week’s Friday Favorites with Erika and Andrea for another edition of Friday Favorites:

Cleveland Trip: My boyfriend and I took a day trip to Cleveland last week and had the best time. From ice skating to walks around the park and dinner and a show. It was the best way to celebrate the Christmas season in a different city. A truly spectacular Christmas gift!

Christmas in the city!
The best Christmas gift from my boyfriend.

Christmas Snack Mix: I have been in the Christmas spirit since the day after Thanksgiving and it hasn’t slowed down at all. The holiday displays at the front of stores always suck me in to try new things. I picked up this holiday snack mix from Giant Eagle and have been loving it. It’s the perfect mix of sweet and salty and holiday cheer. If you are looking for a sweet snack for a holiday party, this is it!

The best Christmas mix

Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies: Speaking of Christmas cheer, I tried this peppermint flavor mix in a batch of chocolate chip cookies and loved how they turned out. I have been doing lots of holiday baking over the past few days, from new recipes to classics, it’s been so fun to do some holiday baking. This cookie mix has the perfect blend of peppermint and chocolate. There was also mini marshmallows and chocolate chips in the mix too. Yum!

The start of baking season.

Long Sleeve Blouses: I am always on the hunt for new pieces to add to my wardrobe and found this long sleeve blouse by Ralph Lauren at Marshall’s for a great deal a few weeks back and couldn’t wait to try it.  There’s so many things that I love about this top, first the colors, I adore the classic blue and red. Second, I love the cut and style with the sleeves and the bow at the top. Lastly, I love that it’s long-sleeved. I will definitely be keeping my eyes open for more tops like these.

I love a good long-sleeve blouse

Christmas in Paris: Just in the nick of time, I finished another Christmas book. I loved this story about a young woman who calls off her wedding and retreats to Paris. The description of Paris in the winter is beautiful. I loved the character development and it was so interesting to see this young woman find herself and love again. Christmas in Paris gets 5 stars from me.

That’s a look into my Christmas-filled week. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas Eve and Day and I will see you back here next Wednesday for my 2022 Recap!

Merry Christmas!

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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #19

Hi everyone! 

Happy Friday! I can’t believe we are ONE week away from Christmas. I’ve been trying to soak up as much Christmas cheer as I can. This past week has been filled with mailing gifts, Christmas dates and holiday movies and I’m loving every second of it.

Here’s a few favorite things of mine this past week as I link up with with Erika and Andrea for another edition of Friday Favorites:

Gift Exchanges: I am so proud of myself for scheduling gift exchanges with friends and family before the month got away from me. Between dinner and lunch dates, I was able to spend one on one time with my friends, exchange gifts and catch up in between holiday commitments and it did wonders. One of the many instances where planning ahead pays off big time.

A little bit of Christmas cheer!

Ice Skating: Ice skating has become a winter favorite for me and over the past few weeks, I’ve been able to go a handful of times and have been loving getting back on the ice. Last week, I went skating with my boyfriend and we had the rink to ourselves with Christmas music playing…yes, I felt like I was in a hallmark movie and LOVED it. I’m looking forward to hitting the rink several more times through the winter months.

Daisy Jones and the Six First Look: If you have been following along this year on my blog then you know I’m on a Taylor Jenkins Reid’s kick. The first photos for Daisy Jones and the Six just came out a few weeks back and I’m so excited for more teasers and photos. The mini series comes out on March 3 and that is one thing getting me through a long winter.

Harry and Meghan Docu-series Part Two: Last week, I talked about part one of Harry and Meghan’s documentary series on Netflix coming out and this week, it’s all about part two. In between all the Christmas movies, I’ve been watching this mini-series and I have really found it enlightening, interesting, and true love story. My favorite part was all the little stories and behind the scenes photos and videos. I’ve really enjoyed seeing a different side of Harry Meghan than what we have seen in the media. This docu-series has me even more excited to read Harry’s book next month.

Nancy Thayer Christmas books: As I continue with my Christmas books, I read two great ones from Nancy Thayer. A Nantucket Christmas and An Island Christmas. Both stories take place in Nantucket over Christmas time and have themes of family drama, cozy Christmas vibes and happy endings. I really appreciated the attention to detail about the island of Nantucket and I ahve to admit after reading both of these books, it makes me want to travel to the island and experience it for myself.

Some of my Christmas reads so far!

That’s just a taste of life over the past week. My world has been work, family time, seeing friends, and all the Christmas cheer and I couldn’t ask for anything more. I hope you have a magical weekend full of Christmas cheer!

Happy Friday!

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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #18

Hello all!


Happy Friday!
December is flying by and I hope you are enjoying the holiday season in the midst of all the holiday to-dos! This week has been filled with Christmas spirit, Christmas shopping (both in store and online) and making plans with friends for the holidays.

A sweet treat by the fire.


Today’s Friday Favorites are a mix of things to watch and eat! I have been watching different movies and shows as I order and wrap gifts, so if you are looking for some fun things to watch, here’s some suggestions as I link up with Erika and Andrea for this week’s Friday Favorites.

The Noel Diary-I’ve been watching lots of holiday movies, new and old. I was excited to see The Noel Diary with Justin Hartley from This is Us and Barrett Doss from Station 19. The movie follows the story of a famous author who is forced to confront his past when a family member passes away. He uncovers secrets from his family and goes on a journey of self discovery. He also meets a young woman on his journey and they quickly learn how they are connected. This definitely has Hallmark vibes, but a bit more substance to it.

Spirited– Speaking of Christmas. I watched Spirited with Will Ferrrell and Ryan Reynolds and loved it. The movie is a modern day take on a Christmas Carol. There’s singing, dancing, drama and a little romance to this new movie. The characters were interesting, the one-liners were funny and the music is so catchy! Definitely a Christmas move to add to your watch list.

Christmas movie and hot cocoa!

Firefly Lane– The new season of Firefly Lane came out last week and I’m hooked. The series follows the friendship between two girls through the decades. It bounces back and forth between the 1970s, 1990s, and early 2000s. It’s based off a three book series and season two is broken up into two parts. I’ve been watching an episode or two at night. I’m looking forward to the second part of season two especially after the cliff hanger in the finale.

Harry and Meghan trailer for Netflix-Last week, Netflix dropped the trailer for the Harry and Meghan docuseries and it came out yesterday. I already started watched and am really enjoying it. I’m looking forward to learning more about the couple and seeing some behind the scenes photos and videos. It’s been interesting to hear their side of the story about everything that’s happened over the past few years.

Chocolate covered Graham crackers-I whipped up this quick snack the other night as I was trying out new recipes. This recipe just requires Graham crackers, melted chocolate and any toppings you like. I made some plain, some with nuts, a few with marshmallows, and others with sprinkles. Everyone really enjoyed this quick snack that took less than 10 minutes to put together. I’ll definitely be keeping it in mind for future snacks.

That’s just a look into life lately! I hope you get to enjoy this weekend do something festive! Happy Friday!

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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #17

Hey guys! Happy Friday! Today’s Friday Favorites is holiday themed! I have been full-on Christmas spirit over here and I can’t wait to share some of my favorite things! As always, I’m linking up with Erika and Andrea for today’s Friday Favorites. Here we go!

Holiday Decor– Per tradition, we always decorate for Christmas the day after Thanksgiving, it’s a lot of work, but the end result is worth it. I love bringing out seasonal throw blankets, pillows and lights and using festive mugs and cups. I picked up my free red cup from Starbucks a few weeks ago, I waited until after Thanksgiving to start using it. There’s nothing better than watching tv, visiting with family and friends or reading, than with all the holiday decorations up. 

Peppermint Brownie Brittle– I always love to see what seasonal products stores roll out. It can be tempting to buy everything, whether it’s food or decor, but I try to only purchase my favorites. When I saw this Peppermint Brownie Brittle, I knew I had to try it. It’s the perfect mix of chocolate and mint and it satisfies your sweet tooth with a few pieces. This would make a great hostess gift or a fun stocking stuffer too. This would even make a great addition to add to your dessert or snack menu.

New Winter Scent– I was due for a new lotion and made sure I got a winter scent for the month of December. Winter Candy Apple is my favorite holiday scent from Bath and Body Works. It reminds me of Christmas in a bottle. I love the sweet and peppermint mixture and it’s just another subtle nod to the holidays.

Christmas Books– I told myself I would only be reading Christmas books in the month of December and I’m doing well so far. I picked up a few from my local library and can’t wait to read more. I’m currently working on A Shopalcohlic Christmas and have A Nantucket Christmas on deck. If you are a big reader, let me know what your favorite Christmas reads are.

Pinterest Christmas Finds– I have been scouring Pinterest for different holiday inspiration and ideas for the month of December. I have date ideas, recipes, even different places all decked out for Christmas saved. Pinterest is such a fun place to get ideas and try new things out. It’s definitely a fun way to pass the time too.

That’s just a look into some of my favorite holiday things this week. Let me know in the comments below on how your Christmas prep is coming. Happy December!

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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #16

Hello hello and happy Black Friday!

I hope you had a great day yesterday with family, friends or loved ones. I had a wonderful day with family, visiting, eating, relaxing and watching the parade.  Our family always decorates the day after Thanksgiving, so that’s what I have on my agenda for today along with some fun treats and appetizers for dinner.

As always, I’m linking up with Erika and Andrea for a weekly edition of Friday Favorites where I share some of my favorite things from this week. 

Here’s a round up of some of my favorite things. 

First Snow-We had our first big snowfall last week/weekend. Although it was not pretty to drive and work in, it was beautiful to sit inside and read, watch a movie or turn on a fire and look at. Some of it has already melted due to warmer temperatures but I know it will be back soon. Seeing all the big, white, snow flakes gets me in the holiday spirit even more.

New Wall Flower Scent- Speaking of the holiday season, I swapped out my wallflower scent this weekend for this festive scent. I had been using eucalyptus and mint and swapped it out for fresh balsam. It smells like Christmas. Between the snow, decorating and new scents, I am ready for December 25…well I still need to do some shopping but I’m almost there. 

Pretzel Bites-I mentioned last week I picked up some fun snacks from Target and wanted to share another snack with you today. I got these chocolate covered peanut butter pretzel bites from Target and they are the perfect sweet and salty treat. You only need to enjoy a few to be satisfied. These would be great to enjoy on their own or a fun addition to a charcuterie board. 

One True Loves– I’ve been reading a lot of Taylor Jenkins Reid, I’m just finished the Seven Husbands of Elena Hugo and will be sharing my thoughts on it soon, but I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to talk about One True Loves. It follows the story of a young woman who loves her husband when his flight goes missing, it takes her a while, but she moves on and meets someone else, she’s happy and engaged until her husband is found and returns home. It’s up to her to figure out who her one true love is. This story is about love, loss, growth and finding yourself. I breezed through this book in four days. In fact, I finished the last hundred pages in one sitting. A cute, love story with a twist.

The Santa Clauses on Disney Plus– And because I can’t stop talking about the holiday season…have you seen The Santa Clauses series on Disney Plus? I loved the original movies and I couldn’t wait for the series to come out. I love the Easter eggs to the original movies tucked throughout the series. This is a great family-friendly way to kick off the holiday season.

That’s just a look into some of my favorite things this past week. I hope you have a relaxing weekend and wonderful kick off to the holiday season. Happy Friday!

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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #15

Hello everyone! Happy Friday! Can you believe we are less than a week away from Thanksgiving and Black Friday? I can feel the holiday spirit creeping in. I haven’t started watching any holiday movies yet, but I have done some holiday browsing, it’s hard to resist the temptation when so many stores have their displays up and gifts out. As always, I’m linking up with Erika and Andrea for this week’s Friday Favorites. Here’s some things I’m loving this week.

The Crown-Although I started season 5 last week, I didn’t want to list it as a favorite until I finished the season. Wow, this season was so good, It felt different than past seasons since it was getting closer and closer to current times. I loved the fashion, the plot lines and the casting. I think they were spot on with the casting, especially when it comes to the mannerisms. It also felt a bit different watching this season compared to ones in the past since Queen Elizabeth is no longer here. Now the waiting begins for season six, the final season of The Crown. If you are craving more Royal or Crown insight, be sure to follow Elizabeth Holmes on Instagram. I’ve mentioned her on here before but she is great for fashion insight and royal background.

The Younger Wife– Another week, another book. I have been doing all the reading this fall. The Younger Wife by Sally Hepworth is my latest read. I saw other bloggers write about it a few months back and decided to give it a try. It follows the story of a heart surgeon who decides to remarry even though his wife is still alive and has dementia. His grown daughters aren’t on board at first, but come around to the idea, that is, until they uncover some secrets about their parents. From the father and mother, to the young bride to be, and the grown daughters, it turns out, everyone is keeping secrets. I enjoyed this book thoroughly; I only wish it didn’t end. It was definitely worth the read and will have you wanting more once you finish.

Chocolate Covered Ritz Crackers-I mentioned that I haven’t been watching any Christmas movies or shows yet, doesn’t mean I haven’t been getting into the holiday spirit in other ways. I was at Target and saw some festive treats and had to try them. My first purchase was these chocolate covered holiday Ritz crackers. They are the perfect mix of sweet and salty. You don’t need to have many until your craving is satisfied. I know I will definitely be buying them again ahead of the holidays. These would be perfect for an appetizer night.

 

Leather sneakers– We have been experiencing very fall like weather with chilly but dry days, that was up until this week when we saw snow. When it hasn’t been snowing, I have been putting on these sneakers to wear out and about, whether it’s to the store, a quick walk or out to dinner. I got this pair by Steve Madden from DSW, but I have seen similar styles at Target, Marshall’s and T.J. Maxx. I love how they can dress up or down an outfit, they are sporty and comfortable. Definitely a good fall shoe and can be worn to transition between seasons.

Banana Recipe Help!- I’ve been doing a lot of baking lately, from cookies to breads and muffins. Baking, reading and walking have been my fall hobbies. Bananas are such an easy thing to eat and bake with, but I’m looking for more recipes to try besides just breads and muffins. If you have a favorite banana muffin, would you mind sharing? I’ve been searching on Pinterest but am always looking for new things to try especially with the holiday and baking season approaching.

That’s just a look into some of the things I’m loving this week. Tell me how are you getting into the holiday spirit? Let me know in the comments below! Happy Friday!

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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #13

Hello everyone and Happy Friday! It’s been a week! From Halloween on a Monday, to starting a new month on Tuesday and then a mix of weather. I was very happy to see the weekend. I like the beginning of November since there’s time to rest a bit before the hustle and bustle of the holidays and the end of the year. 

I have a fun roundup of favorites for you today as I link up with  Erika and Andrea for Friday Favorites ,it’s a good mix of movies, books, activities and food!

The Weekend Away– I know it’s not a new release but it’s new to me. I recently watched The Weekend Away on Netflix, and it was the perfect mystery and scary movie for me. I’m not big into scary movies, but I do love a good mystery and plot twist. The movie follows a young mom who spends a weekend away with her best friend. After the first night, her best friend ends up dead and everyone including the main character becomes a suspect. There’s lots of intrigue and a few plot twists you won’t see coming even up to the last few minutes of the movie. Definitely a good movie to watch if you want a scare, but nothing too scary.

Book Lovers– If you are in the mood to curl up with a good book on a chilly November day, then consider reading Book Lovers. It follows the story of a book agent from New York City who takes a trip in a Hallmark-esque town in North Carolina. This type-A young women is perfectly content with her life in the city but quickly learns that life’s not so bad in a rural town, that is until she learns her rival is visiting the same town. Will they stay competitors, or will a new chapter be written? You will have to turn each page to find out. This book is written by Emily Henry, and I have loved reading her books over the past few years and this one was no different. A great book that you will finish in a breeze.

Spare-Speaking of new books, Prince Harry’s new book cover and synopsis was released last week. Spare is set to hit shelves on January 10. I already have my copy pre-ordered. I can’t wait to read about Harry’s life from his perspective. From my past posts, you have probably picked up that I enjoy following the Royal Family so I’m very eager to read his thoughts. Plus, this gives me something to look forward to in the new year after the holidays are over.

Old Navy Sales– I stopped into Old Navy last week and they had so many sales going on. From jeans to blouses, coats and graphic tee-shirts. There was something for everyone. Plus, they already have some of their Christmas gear out and I may have picked up a holiday shirt and some Christmas pajamas. There’s so many different prints and patterns, you can go crazy! Plus, this is a great time to stock up on things while they are on sale as they switch their seasonal clothes out. 

Elk Watching– This is a different kind of favorite, but I went Elk watching last week and had such a fun time and it was a really unique experience. I had to get up extra early and travel to southeastern Pennsylvania to see the elk in their natural habitat. I got the chance to see them in the field and then up close by the road. It was definitely a once in a lifetime experience.

That’s a look into some of my favorite things this week. Tell me, what are you looking forward to this weekend?