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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #138

Hi everyone! A very happy Friday Favorites to you. Spring is here and it certainly has sprung. I donā€™t know about you, but I have not so patiently been waiting for this new season. Iā€™m ready for fresh starts and new beginnings, sunshine, blue skies, and no more snow.

A taste of Spring!

Can you tell Iā€™m excited for spring?!

Before we get to the weekend, I wanted to share some of my favorite things from the past week. I have lots of entertainment options, a spring scent and a foodie favorite!

Letā€™s waste no time and dive right in as I link up with Erika and Andrea.

The Pitt– My latest tv binge-worthy obsession has been The Pitt. It stars ER vet, Noah Wyle and itā€™s a drama about working in the Emergency Department. It takes place in Pittsburgh and they actually shot some scenes in the 412! The series follows a medical team from interns, to nurses, and attendings about what a standard shift looks like. This hour-long drama brings in lots of interesting cases and patients and from what I have heard, itā€™s one of the most realistic medical dramas on tv. The episodes drop once a week on Max every Thursday! Definitely check it out! 

The Recruit– It came out a few weeks ago, but I finally got around to watching the new season of the Recruit. Season two picks up right after where the last one ended. I wanted to finish The Pitt before I began a new show, so Iā€™m glad I waited. I like how this series on Netflix mixes drama and humor every episode. Iā€™ve been enjoying working my way through this new season.

New Essential Oils– One of my close friends recommended this new essential oil at Target and let me tell you, it is an instant mood booster. Your space will feel like spring and you will want to open all the windows and have birds chirping in the background. At least, thatā€™s how I felt. I love the combination this scent offers of fresh and clean. Itā€™s also great to use after you finish cleaning your space.

Movie Soundtracks– I have been spending a lot of time in the car and one of the things thatā€™s helped me has been listening to movie and musical soundtracks. I have been listening to music from my favorite Broadway shows, rom coms, and everything in between. I like to listen to them through Apple music, but you can find your favorites on Spotify or YouTube. Listening to a movie soundtrack helps the time past and it draws you back into the movie. Highly recommend listening to your favorite scores when doing chores, running errands or taking long car rides.

Some of my recent favorites

Chai Seeds– I started to incorporate Chai seeds into more of my meals and I have been loving them. I made chai pudding and overnight oats and enjoyed them both, but I have to say I enjoyed the overnight oats a bit more. After I made both recipes and let them sit, I added some of my favorite protein granola, some fruit and chocolate chips for extra flavoring and crunch. The perfect snack or dessert, plus itā€™s healthy too!

There you have it! Thatā€™s a look at what I have been loving this week, some spring snacks, new entertainment options and a new scent for your space. What things have you been doing to get into the spirit of Spring? I would love to hear from you! Have a fantastic Friday!

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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #137

Hello hello! Popping by to say hi this Friday!

I hope it has been a splendid week for you and you are getting ready for spring or at least trying too! It has been a very long winter so the fact we are closer to the start of spring than the start of winter makes me very happy! Life is back to normal for me, which I am happy about. Plus, spring is almost here.

A sneak peak from my work trip. More to come in a few weeks.

This weekend, we have our St. Patrick’s Day parade which is always a fun time!

Today Iā€™m linking up with Erika and Andrea for Friday Favorites with a bunch of fun and new things as we round out this week! I have a mix bag of movies, books, some things Iā€™ve been up to, and a recent favorite snack! Letā€™s get to it!

Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy- Bridget Jones is one of my favorite rom coms! I love the quirkiness of the character with Bridget, I love the relationship between Mark, Bridget, and Daniel and I adore all the British references. Itā€™s one of those movies that I can watch time and time again and it doesnā€™t get old. I have seen all the movies and when the most recent one came out, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy on Peacock. I was anxious to see it, especially once I learned what the plot was about. Although apprehensive at first, I went into the movie with a clear mind and I really enjoyed the film. Itā€™s all about how Bridget moves on after a major life event. A lot of the original cast returns for this movie which made it extra special and although older, Bridget hasnā€™t changed a bit. If you have seen the other movies, this is definitely worth the watch!

New Scent from Bath and Body Works– Every few months itā€™s time for a scent refresh and this refresh timed out perfectly with a new month and soon to be season. I still have some of my Emily in Paris collection from Christmas to use from Bath and Body Works. I really have been enjoying this lavender scent. It has some springy feels to it which is desperately needed after our long winter. I am still burning a lavender candle in my room so I am channeling all the lavender and soothing vibes, if only it could bring spring faster.

Simplified Pouches- I mentioned in a post a few weeks ago that I was loving my Simplified tote, well I have also been loving my Simplified pouches to keep things organized when I am on the road or in the air. These have come in handy so many times over the last month. I have a large and small pouch and you can see I used the small one to hold writing utensils and chargers and cords. I love how it keeps all my stuff tidy and in one spot. I also love the quilted material!

Reconnecting with Friends– Over the past month, in addition to seeing my current friends, I have spent a lot of time reconnecting with old friends. It has truly brought me so much joy to catch up with people about their careers, families, and love lives. Whether in-person or on facetime or through a phone call, I have enjoyed seeing and hearing what people are up to and where they are at in life.

Protein Mix– I mentioned a few posts back that I have been loving fruit bowls as a snack or with my meal. I discovered a new topping to add to my rotation. I will combine greek yogurt, fruit and now some protein mix to my bowls. I love the sweet and salty flavor this granola provides and the extra vitamins and proteins to gives too. I am always looking for different way to get more protein in my diet and this does the trick.

Thatā€™s a look into what I have been loving this week, some food, some entertainment and some self care. As we make our way through March, what are you loving this week? Are you ready for spring and hoping for more snow! Iā€™m Team Spring! I hope you have a fabulous weekend!

See you back here on Wednesday!

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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #136

Hello all!

Happy Friday! I hope you had a great week and are ready for the weekend! I am still out of town for work, so my weekend isn’t here quite yet, but it’s on its way.

I canā€™t believe we are at the beginning of March! We are inching closer and closer to spring which Iā€™m very excited about! Brighter and warmer days are (hopefully) ahead!Ā We have had a VERY long winter and I’m ready for the new season.

New mantra for the new month

As we get ready for the weekend, here are some things I have been loving this week. Some beauty picks, some travel items (this timed out perfectly), and a sweet treat or two! Letā€™s get to it as I link up withĀ ErikaĀ andĀ AndreaĀ for Friday Favorites!

Burtā€™s Bees Lotion– I started to use this Burtā€™s Bees lotion. Itā€™s a thick cream that smells like almond and vanilla. I would recommend using it on dry skin, hands, or feet due to its thickness. I really love the smell and the durability. The scent isnā€™t too overpowering which is something I appreciate. This has been a favorite of mine in winter months.

Luggage Tags– I have been doing some travel lately (both for work and fun) and these luggage tags that I got for Christmas were a win for me! They match my navy and brown tote and backpack and are easy to spot if I have to check either item. I couldnā€™t pass up a monogram moment either!

Charlotte Tilbury Lip Kit- I got this travel/lip kit pair from Charlotte Tilbury as a gift from a friend and I have been so pleased with it. This is my first Charlotte Tilbury item. Itā€™s a lip pencil and gloss. I love the neutral color, how smooth it goes on, and the great coverage it provides. I put it on in the morning and it lasted most of the day even with eating and drinking. I have been wearing this every day while I’ve been away and I’ve been loving it! I will definitely check out more products by Charlotte Tilbury.Ā 

Hot Chocolate– I love a good warm drink in the winter months and a warm cup of chocolate is always a sweet treat. I recently tried this new brand of hot chocolate which is packed with vitamins, minerals, and proteins. It tastes just like a warm cup of hot cocoa but itā€™s healthy for you too! A win for me!

Emily Ley Cookbook– I have been looking forward to this day for months, Emily Leyā€™s latest book, and first cookbook dropped this past week, it’s called the Simplified Cook Book. Itā€™s filled with so many easy meals for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack, and desserts. She has been teasing her cookbook for months and Iā€™m so happy to have a copy in my hands. This is a great cookbook for anyone looking for easy meals and how to function and work in a kitchen. This would also make a great housewarming gift too. I canā€™t wait to start trying new recipes.

Thatā€™s a look at what I have been loving this first week of March! As we countdown to spring, what are some things you have been enjoying this week? I would love to hear from you!

Happy Friday and Happy March!

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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #116

Hello All! Happy Friday! I hope you had a wonderful week! I have a packed full weekend around the corner with family time, activities, and some fall fun thrown in there too! It will be a busy, but fun weekend.Ā 

Pumpkin patches and farmer’s market stands bring me so much JOY!

Before I hit the ground running today, I wanted to share some things that I have been loving (hint-most of them are fall and entertainment favorites) as I link up with withĀ ErikaĀ andĀ Andrea.

Light a candle, curl up with a blanket and letā€™s dive in!

The Simple Sophisticate– Shay Shull of Mix and Match Mama recommended this podcast on her blog and I finally got around to listening to it. Shannon Ables started the podcast after her blog back in 2014 and still continues with episodes to this day. The theme of the podcast is all about living a simpler, calmer, and French way of life. Ables has such a soothing voice and attitude that you will find yourself relaxing and feeling peaceful no matter what she is talking about. I started at the beginning of the podcast and I have been loving all the different themes and topics. Episodes vary from 30-60 mins. Definitely worth giving it a listen to over the next few weeks.

The Home Edit– I love following The Home Edit on Instagram and love their show on Netflix too. I decided to check out Clea and Joannaā€™s book during my latest library haul and learned a lot from it. They give practical advice and ways to organize your spaces. Not only do they write about ways to organize areas, but they have great photos to demonstrate it too. After reading their book, I wanted to do a massive purge and organization.

Fall Harvest Mix-If you have been following along for a while, you know I love a good festival or seasonal food. My local grocery store had this seasonal harvest mix and I had to give it a try. Itā€™s a delicious combo of sweet and salty. Thereā€™s peanuts, M&M, cereal, and peanut butter cups. Itā€™s by no means a healthy trail mix, but it certainly satisfies the sweet and salty tooth.Ā 

Gilmore Girls- Watching Gilmore Girls was on my fall bucket list and Iā€™m slowing making my way through it. I started the show last year, but then life happened and I never finished it. Well, now I am back on the Gilmore Girls bandwagon and I have been loving it. Itā€™s the perfect fall show to cozy up and enjoy. I know this will also help me get through the cold winter months as well too.

Nobody Wants This- This new Netflix mini-series is what everyone is talking about. Nobody Wants This stars Kristen Bell and Adam Brody and itā€™s all about a couple who starts dating later in life after not having luck in the dating department. There are so many funny one-liners and relationship connections besides the romance between the two main characters. I really loved the message how you can have a relationship after you have worked hard in your career. There are only ten episodes and they last between 20-30 mins, perfect to binge watch in a weekend.Ā 

If the weather is getting cooler by you, I hope these favorites gave you something new to try or enjoy this weekend. What have been some things you have been loving this week? Let me know in the comments below! 

Happy Fall Friday!

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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #64

Hello All! Happy Friday! I hope you had a great week. I can’t believe we are one week out from Halloween weekend! This month has flown by, but I have made the most of it between fall walks, apple picking, baking and fall fests!

Hello Fall!

It’s been a great month and it’s not over yet. Today’s roundup is all things fall as I link up with ErikaĀ andĀ AndreaĀ or a fun roundup of Friday Favorites!

Pinterest Boards– Kicking things off with all things fall, my Pinterest boards reflect how I feel about fall and they bring me so much JOY!  Give me all the fall vibes, from nature photos to recipes I want to try, cozy scenes indoors and book and movie recommendations. I go through phases where I am always pinning things up for ideas or inspiration or I am not on the app at all. I’m currently pinning all the fall things, all the time. I love to go on Pinterest at the end of the day for inspiration and to unwind. Here’s my page to follow along, not just for fall but for recipes, fashion, home decor and organization.

SO much JOY!

New Room Scent– New season, new scent! Does this scent not scream fall..honeycrisp apple for fall?! I love apples and and the fresh and sweet scent they bring and I know this was the perfect scent for the next few months for fall! Whenever I have it on, I am drawn back into an apple orchard. Bath and Body Works is my go-to for all the sweet scents, they always get me with their deals for lotions, car scents, body spray and candles.

The perfect fall scent!

Near in the Night– Emily Ley’s latest book, Near in the Night just came out and I can’t wait to dive in. I’m still deciding if I want to start it now or wait until the new year to begin, stay tuned! This is a companion or part two to her first set of devotionals, Sure as the Sunrise. I loved starting my day with Sure as the Sunrise, after some journaling and quiet time and I was thrilled when she announced she had a set of 100 nighttime devotionals coming out. Ley is such a talented writer and I have loved all the different genres of books she’s penned and published. I’m looking forward to ending my day with some quiet time and devotional time and can’t wait to start Near in the Night.

Stuffed Butternut Squash-My boyfriend made Stuffed ButternutĀ Squash for a date night in and it was delicious. The perfect fall recipe. I asked him to share the recipe if you are looking to try it!

A delicious fall meal!

Ingredients

2 acorn squash, halved and seeded

1/2-3/4 pound ground sausage of your choice

Ā½ teaspoon salt and pepper, more or less depending on seasoning of sausage

herbs and spices to taste, depending on which ones pair with the sausage of choice

Ā¼ cup breadcrumbs

1/3 cup milk

1.5 cups cooked rice, ideally cooled

1 diced bell pepper

Ā½ diced onion

Directions

  1. Combine all ingredients except breadcrumbs.
  2. mix well and divide into squash halves.
  3. Top with breadcrumbs and a melty cheese if desired, very lightly drizzle oil or spray tops of each
  4. Place squashes into lightly oiled baking dish
  5. 5) Bake covered at 350 for one hour, then uncovered for 30 minutes 

Sitting in Bars with Cake– If you are looking for a movie for girls’ night or a mother-daughter night in, I have you covered. I found the movie, Sitting in Bars with Cake on Amazon Prime and watched it with my mom, it looked so cute and fun. Two young best friends living together in LA head to bars with cake as a way to make new friends and guys while making memories along the way, what more could you ask for in a movie?! I loved the story of friendship, seeing them make all these unique cakes and creations, but the movie had a lot more depth than I realized. This was a tearjerker and really showed the power of friendship and how it endures all. Make sure you have tissues on hand when you watch you have something sweet to indulge in, because the movie will leave you hungry!

That’s a quick look into what I have been loving this week, lots of fall favorites, from scents to inspiration, recipes, and movies! Tell me, what have you enjoyed the most about the fall season? Let me know in the comments below! Happy Fall Friday!

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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.Ā 

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 weekā€™s Friday Favorites is a mix of indoor and outdoor fun. Hereā€™s a few things Iā€™m loving this week as I link up with Ā ErikaĀ andĀ 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 wasnā€™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. Iā€™m hoping to make it a habit on days with mild winter weather.Ā 

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 Jessieā€™s Chicken Noodle Soup last week and it was so good. I made a big batch with plenty of leftovers for lunches. Iā€™m looking forward to trying more recipes this winter and in the spring and summer too.Ā 

Warm soup for a cold day.

Knives Out: Glass Onion-After seeing lots of previews for Knives Out Glass Onion, I couldnā€™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 ā€œWho Done Itā€. 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 ā€œThe People We Hate at the Weddingā€, you can find this on Amazon Prime and itā€™s the perfect rom-com. This movie follows two siblings and their mother who travel to England for their half-sisterā€™s wedding. Thereā€™s a few bumps to get to the big day, but itā€™s filled with lots of family drama, laughs, love, and the movie wraps with a happy ending.Ā 

Apple Devices Charging Station-I got a new charging station for Christmas and itā€™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 itā€™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.

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