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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #141

Hello everyone! Happy Friday! I am out of town today on a weekend getaway! It’s nice to break up the routine and rhythm and do something a little different. Plus, it was also nice to escape the snow we got this past week. My poor flowers!

Even though, I am out of town, I would be remiss if I didn’t pop in to say hello. More about my trip is coming later, but for now, I wanted to share some highlights of this week as I link up with Erika and Andrea for Friday Favorites!

Here’s a look at what I have been loving this week.

Audiobooks- I have been on an audiobook roll. As soon as I finish one, I immediately start looking for another to download. I get my audiobooks through Libby, which is an app that connects you to titles through your local library. I use Libby to read books on my phone and iPad and to listen to audiobooks. It makes me feel good that I am supporting my local library and saving money too! Whenever I download a new audiobook, the time remaining to listen is always daunting, but it goes by so fast when I try to listen as much as I can. I will listen at the gym, on a run, (if I’m not listening to a weekly podcast) and in the car. I find myself getting lost in the stories that time flies. I also think it has a lot to do with the narrator too. Plus, it’s a great way to get more reading in too!

One of my latest reads

Chocolate Orange Slices- I ventured into Marshall’s to see what was new for spring and walked out with more than I expected. I purchased these chocolate orange slices as an impulse buy and it was a good purchase. I love the sweetness that they carry. It’s just enough to have a few slices to satisfy your sweetness cravings. I love anything chocolate covered or flavored and these were a win for me. A perfect snack or dessert treat.

New Shoes– Another Marshall’s find! I was looking for a fun new summer sandal and these slides were calling my name. I like how they are dressier than a regular flip flip or sandal and I love the platform. The rick-rack is very beachy and summery. I can see myself wearing these with shorts, a sundress, or even a flowy skirt. I know I will be getting a lot of use out of them this summer and can’t wait for warmer temperatures.

Rice Crisps– Do you sense a trend with impulse buys?! I saw these advertised at Target and was intrigued to try them. I enjoy regular rice cakes especially with peanut butter and banana and when I saw these mini chips/crisps, they looked like the perfect snack companion. They did not disappoint. I love the cinnamon apple flavoring and the mini version. There was also other flavoring like caramel and chocolate, but I think I will stick to the apple cinnamon for now. But, if you see them at the store, give them a try.

Simplified Launch Day– Last week was Simplified Cover Reveal Day and this week was their Launch Day. Even though I didn’t buy anything this time around, I love all their launch day activities and product launches. As of now, this will be my planner pick for next year, but it was so hard to choose, with so many beautiful covers. If you are a fan of Simplified, what cover or products will you be choosing?

That’s a look into some favorite things from this week! I should have named this post things I bought, but didn’t need, but I am satisfied with all my purchases and I know I am getting good use out of them. It’s hard to resist items at the store when they look so good. 

I am going to end this post with a mug I saw at Marshall’s, but did not purchase. My wallet was thanking me. Haha!

Have a great weekend and I will see you back here on Wednesday for another post!

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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #140

Hello everyone and happy Fri-YAY!

It is the first Friday of April and it certainly feels like spring. I have a packed few weeks coming up and it all kicks off today!

Tonight is the home opener of our local baseball team, which means we are gearing up for summer nights at the ballpark which is always a good date night or family activity. Our local high school is putting on West Side Story this weekend, so I will be spending some time at the theater, which is fun! Looking ahead, I have a weekend trip planned for next week, then Easter the following week. I love seeing my calendar fill up with all the fun things!

Before we get to the fun, I wanted to catch you up on some of my favorite things from this week as I link up with Erika and Andrea.

The Messy Lives of Book People– I mentioned this audiobook in my Currently last week, but wanted to share more about it today. I really have enjoyed Phaedra Patrick’s books including The Little Italian Hotel and The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper. I couldn’t wait to read this book about authors and book lovers. The Messy Lives of Book People. is all about a woman who gets hired by her favorite author to clean. When the author dies, she leaves the job of finishing her book to her cleaner. The question is why. There were so many fun connections and secrets all through the book, I couldn’t stop listening. I listened in the car, at the gym, even getting ready in the morning. I really loved the narrator too, that’s always a make it or break it for me when it comes to audio books. My favorite part? The author’s name was Elspeth. Too funny! I loved this book, definitely a favorite!

Yogurt Covered Raisins– I’m not typically a fan of raisins. I prefer craisins as a snack or in a salad, but not raisins. I also enjoy chocolate covered raisins-to no one’s surprise. However, I gave yogurt covered raisins a try and got hooked. I loved the sweetness and the outer covering they provide and I don’t mind the raisin taste as much. They are the perfect afternoon pick me up or lunch snack to satisfy that sweet craving, although, they aren’t the healthiest, they are still tasty.

Simplified Cover Reveal– It was like Christmas morning for me on Wednesday as Simplified revealed their new covers for the upcoming year. They launch new products and their academic planners next Wednesday, but I won’t be making any purchases until their fall launch when I get their yearly planner. I always love to see what new products they come up with and what items they bring back. Here’s what I have my eye on this year. 

Meghan Markle New Podcast– From a new Netflix show to a new podcast, last month, Meghan Markle announced she was launching a podcast. It’s called, “Confessions of a Female Founder”, you can watch/listen to the trailer here. She has also shared some behind the scenes videos and pictures. I plan to listen to the episodes once they drop next Tuesday. I love listening to podcasts and learning new things and I think this will be a great podcast to add to my library. If you are a fan of Harry and Meghan, do you think you will be listening?

Pinterest Spring Boards and Foods– Whenever the seasons change, I find myself scroll through Pinterest more for ideas and inspiration. These can be anything from new spring-like recipes to try, house decor, date ideas, even spring quotes. Pinterest is an instant mood booster for me and I am always so inspired when I am looking through different pins. This is a look at some recipes I want to try in the kitchen.

There you have it. A look at some of my favorite things from this week. Lots of fun things are coming up and a taste of spring too. I’m off to a busy weekend, but will see you back here on Wednesday! Have a great weekend!

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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #59

Hi all! Happy Friday!

Are you in fall mode yet? Are you savoring the pumpkin spice season or soaking up the final days of sunshine? Last week, we had temperatures near the 90’s, so I’m still soaking up the sunshine and enjoying the outdoors for as long as I can.

Final ice creams of the summer!

My summer was a busy one, so I made it a point to schedule a lot of my yearly appointments for September once the summer slowed down a bit and to be honest, I’m glad I did. It’s been nice to take care of appointments and checkups when children are back in school, and the calendar is a bit more open, and routines are back in place. Needless to say, my days off have been filled with ALL the appointments, but I did manage to sneak in some fun too!

It’s never a bad day for a walk!

As we gear up for the weekend, I’m sharing a few things I’m loving this week as I link up with Erika and Andrea for another edition of Friday Favorites.

Virgin River Back– The new season of Virgin River came out last week, but I didn’t have a chance to watch it until this past week. I have been loving this season so far. For those who watch, it picks up right where last season ends. I really like how each season flows right into the other. A few storylines get wrapped up in the premiere, but new characters and problems arise in the premiere too. I’m anxious to continue the first half of the season and I’m already looking forward to part two when it comes out in November.

Sally Hepworth’s The Soulmate– I have only read a few of Hepworth’s books but have devoured them all. Her latest book, The Soulmate came out in the spring, and I have been waiting to check it out at the library. Once I got my hands on it, I finished it in five days, some nights, even staying up late to read one more chapter. It follows the story of a family who lives in a quiet seaside town. When a woman dies after falling from a popular cliff, questions arise about her death. Was she pushed? Did she fall? Did she take her own life? Secrets are uncovered between two families and connections are made that you won’t see coming. There’s a lot of mystery to this book and it’s a bit of a thriller, but not too much so that you won’t be able to sleep at night. After reading this book, I want to read more of Sally’s books!

Cover Girl The Exhibitionist Mascara-I wear a lot of makeup for work and I’m always open to trying new products, especially when it comes to mascara. I have my staples that I use day in and day out, sometimes like to experiment with new styles. I have been a fan of Cover Girl and their products and one of my friends told me about their Exhibitionist Mascara. I have been using it for a few weeks and have really come to enjoy it. I typically use their lash blast mascara, so it took some getting used to using a thinner brush, but I have found that it makes my lashes look longer. It has great coverage and it’s long-lasting. I’m not sure if I will use this one forever, but it has been good to change it up over the past few weeks.

Black Mary Jane Shoes– I’m not in fall mode yet, but I have made a few recent purchases that is getting me there. My mom spotted these black Mary Jane ballet flats at Marshall’s and they were calling my name. I love how they are a sturdier shoe, there’s a strap on them and you can wear them with so many different outfits. I can see myself wearing them with dress pants, a skirt, even jeans in the fall. I love how they are versatile enough to be dressed up or down with them. I love to browse T.J. Maxx and Marshall’s just to see what things they have in stock.

Simplified Launch– This was one of my favorite weeks as it was Simplified Launch Day this past Wednesday! I am a weekly-yearly planner gal, so I got to pick out my goodies for 2024 and order them on Wednesday. Simplified also dropped some new products that I browsed. Each launch they always bring out so many fun and creative products, I have to reign myself in from buying them all. This was my planner pick for this year. I love the message behind it, the pattern and all the detailing. I can’t wait for my products to come in.

This was a busy week, I finished a big project at work, had some appointments, and work functions thrown in too, so I was more than ready for the weekend! I hope you have something fun planned for the weekend or you are enjoying a nice relaxing weekend in. Either way, I hope it’s a great one!

I’ll see you here back next Wednesday! Happy Weekend!

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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #38

Hi everyone! Happy Friday! I know it’s only mid-April but I am so ready for summer. Over the past few weeks, I’ve gotten to enjoy sunshine, 70 degrees, and all the clear skies. I even have indulged in ice cream on a few nights too. I know it’s not here to last, but I am soaking up as much as I can. I’m currently working on this post outside and it’s such a tease for summer.

Beautiful spring weather!

It was so hard to narrow down today’s Friday Favorites because I had so many things on my mind. But I think this is a good mix of things to read, watch and enjoy this week. Here’s this week’s edition of Friday Favorites as I link up with Erika and Andrea!

The Best Years of Your LifeThis book started out slow, but once it picked up, I couldn’t put it down. It’s told by the three main characters, a married couple and their college-aged daughter. Each character is going through different trials and tribulations and has their own secrets that they are dealing with. You can find themes of drama, relationships, family, honesty and integrity. It’s one of those books that will stick with you after you finish it. Another bonus is that the author is from my community-such a small world!

Simplified Spring Launch!-Emily Ley and her team at Simplified revealed their products and covers last week and they went on sale on Wednesday! All I can say is wow! What a collection! Their academic planners go on sale in the spring and their yearly planners go on sale in the fall. I’m a yearly girl, so I will buy my planner in the fall, but I already have my eyes on some new products too! If you like organization and desk and office supplies, you have to see what they have in stock. This is my pick for this year!

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Season 5– The new and final season of the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel returned last Friday! So far, a handful of episodes are available. I am really into the season and i don’t want it to end. There was a lot of shock after the first episode, you can read about it here if you want to learn more, but be warned, the article contains spoilers! I always look forward to Fridays when the new episodes drop and I can’t wait to see how everything wraps up. 

James Corden and the Kardashians– If you are a fan of the Late Night Show with James Corden or the Kardashian’s, you have to check out this video. Corden fills in as their assistants for the day and the end result is too funny! This is guaranteed a laugh for you.

New Library Books– After reading some great books, I couldn’t wait to head to the library for some new reads and my recent haul didn’t disappoint. I picked up a mix of rom-com, drama, and some that have been on my read list for a while. I can’t wait to share some reviews soon!

Well there you have it, that’s a look into what I have been loving this week. I hope you found something that you can love too! I hope you have a wonderful weekend filled with sushine and spring fun!