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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #69

Hello All! Happy Friday and happy Black Friday!

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family and loved ones. I hope the day was filled with loved ones, good food, and lasting memories. I enjoyed spending the day with extended family and continuing some traditions too. I also ran my first Turkey Trot which was so fun!Ā 

Turkey trotting!

Yesterday was all about Thanksgiving and today is all about getting ready for Christmas by decorating our home. 

A delicious, Thanksgiving spread!

This weekend we will be enjoying a second Thanksgiving dinner with my immediate family which I am looking forward to.

Baking season has begun!

Today’s Friday Favorites post is a mix of holiday fun, some shows to binge watch and a good movie, there’s certainly something for everyone as I link up with  Erika and Andrea .

Book Club: The Next Chapter– My mom and I had a girl’s movie night a few weeks ago and watched Book Club: The Next Chapter. We saw the first movie when it came out a few years ago and we thoroughly enjoyed the sequel. It follows the four friends as they embark on a long overdue trip to Italy, however, no trip is complete without a few hiccups. There’s some fantastic one-liners, beautiful scenery and above all, great message about friendship. We watched it on Amazon Prime and I would definitely recommend it for your next movie night.

The Crown Returns-The first part of the final season of The Crown came out last week and I started watching it right away. Without giving too much away, it begins right where the last season left off. I think Peter Morgan has done a phenomenal job with the series and this past season. I have been following along with Elizabeth Holmes’ Crown commentary. She provides so much insight and information about The Royal Family and The Crown. You can find her here if you want to follow along more.

The Crown is BACK

Halloween Candy Cookies– I am always on the hunt to try new recipes and I found one from another blog and had to try it. If you still have some Halloween candy lying around or if you want to go buy some candy, this is such an easy and tasty recipe. It’s basically a chocolate chip cookie dough recipe with any of your favorite candies. I added Milky Ways, Twix, M&M’s, kisses, and chocolate chips. I opted not to add any peanut based candies due to allergies, but these cookies were a hit! Here’s the recipe if you want to try them for yourself.

Apple TV Christmas Special– From Halloween to Christmas, I am getting into the holiday spirit with Apple TV’s Christmas Special. If you are a fan of Ted Lasso, you will love this special. There’s appearances from the cast of Ted Lasso, there’s singing, dancing and Christmas cheer! Here’s the preview if you haven’t seen it yet. There’s Christmas specials are always so creative and fun. I’m looking forward to the lighting of the Rockerfeller Christmas Tree next week. Now, that Thanksgiving is over, I’m in full on Christmas mode. 

Festive Christmas Shirt– Speaking of the holidays, I got a new graphic t-shirt to wear leading up to Christmas. I always have luck with festive t-shirts from Old Navy. I picked up this shirt along with a few other articles of clothing a few weeks ago. I love adding some holiday cheer to my wardrobe even if it is only for a few weeks out of the year. These festive shirts bring me so much joy. There’s so many different patterns and styles, there’s something for everyone. Also, as a side note, Old Navy’s pajama collection is great this year, there’s something for every member of your family-including pets!

Had to get my pup in for a photo too!

That’s a look into life recently. Some movies, baking, binge-worthy shows and getting into the holiday spirit!

Tell me: are you in full on Christmas mode yet?

Let me know in the comments below!

Happy Black Friday!

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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #43

Happy Friday Friends and Happy Memorial Day Weekend!! This month flew by, I feel like we were just celebrating Motherā€™s Day and here we are at Memorial Day weekend!

This past month has been up and down weather-wise. Some days, we hit 70ā€™s and others were in the 50ā€™s. Last weekend, I had a family wedding and it was so nice to celebrate love and see family!Ā 

Zoo trips are back this season!

Besides Memorial Day Weekend, itā€™s also my birthday weekend. Iā€™m looking forward to celebrating on the actual day and a bit before.

Now, that Iā€™ve got you all caught up on all things in life, hereā€™s what Iā€™ve been loving this week as I link up with ErikaĀ andĀ Andrea!

Lemon Bundt Cake-I have been trying to incorporate more fruits and vegetables as we get closer to summer and that includes desert too. I made a lemon bundt cake last week and it was the perfect taste for spring. It was sweet and moist and had so much flavor. You can eat it solo or with some vanilla ice cream or fresh fruit. A lemon cake and fresh strawberries would be divine for a summer night dessert. If a cake isnā€™t your cup of tea, you can make these into cupcakes or muffins. The possibilites are endless!

The sweetest cake for spring!

The Dinner List– I have been a big fan of Rebecca Serleā€™s books. Iā€™ve enjoyed In Five Years and One Italian Summer and I was excited to read The Dinner List. The book follows a young woman as she enjoys a dinner with five important people in her life. The purpose behind the dinner is explained through the book and different relationships are explained through the story. I really enjoyed getting to know all the characters, but the end had me grasping for more. I wasnā€™t ready for it to end!

Such a good read!

Brain Dumps– This month has been so busy with all the activities, events and to-doā€™s and the only way I have been keeping it all straight (besides my Simplified planner) is by writing everything down and doing periodic brain dumps. A brain dump is when you literally put everything that needs done or whatā€™s on your mind on a giant list and break it down about what needs done. I always write to-doā€™s for the day in my planner, but sometimes, for long term lists or detailed to-doā€™s, having it in one spot is a game changer. I love these large pads from Simplified, not only are they super cute but have a ton of space for lists.

The best notepad for brain dumps!

Selling Sunset Season 6– One of my favorite reality shows is back! Selling Sunset is my guilty pleasure and there has been so much drama and excitement this season. From new characters to familiar faces, incredible homes and all the dramaā€¦this season has been so good. Iā€™m currently watching it as I type this post. The only downside is that once I finish it, I have to wait for a new season. If you are watching this season, what are your thoughts so far?!

Substack– Have you heard of Substack and started using it? Itā€™s a platform to read blogs and newsletters. A lot of writers I follow have joined substack. Some you have to pay to read their newsletters, but others offer free subscriptions. A few of my favorite writers on Substack right now include Emily Ley and Elizabeth Holmes (are we surprised?) I have been loving following Holmesā€™ coverage of the Coronation. Sheā€™s been providing both newsletters and podcast about it. Substack has been a fun place to get lots of content in one place.Ā 

Some of my Substack reads

Thatā€™s a roundup of some of my favorite things this week. From books, to food, and shows, I hope you found a new favorite here. Tell me, as we gear up for Memorial Day weekend, what are your plans? I hope you can enjoy some fun time outside and with family! Happy Friday!

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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #39

Hi all! Happy Friday and happy end of April! What a month itā€™s been, filled with the start of spring and sunshine! That being said, I canā€™t wait for May, lots of good things in store for the next month.

My pup enjoying the sweet sunshine!

As always, Iā€™m linking up with Erika and Andrea! for another edition of Friday Favorites, a collection of things that have caught my eye and maybe will catch yours too!

Hereā€™s what Iā€™m loving this week.

Small Gold Hoops– I have been on the hunt for a small gold hoop earrings for a while and got a perfect pair for Easter. I have large loops in different colors, but was looking for something a bit more dainty and these fit the build. They are classy and professional and can be worn in the office, out to dinner or even with jeans and a t-shirt, definitely a favorite worth sharing.

New candle– Out with the old and in with the new! It was time for a fresh candle for my room. This scent is divine. I love the sweet and subtle smell it brings to my room. Itā€™s perfect for sunny mornings and quiet evenings. The orange is perfect for spring. Iā€™ll be enjoying this candle all spring long!

Outdoor walks– We have been having the best weather here lately (minus a day of snow!) and I have been taking advantage of all the outdoor walks, from walks on my own with my dogs and a good podcast, to long walks, catching up with friends. I have been doing everything I can to get outdoors and in the sunshine and getting some good exercise doesnā€™t hurt either!

A great walk with one of my friends!

So Many Thoughts Coronation podcast– If you have been following on here for a while, you have heard me talk about Elizabeth Holmesā€™ and her coverage of the Royal Family, from her book, to her newsletter and podcast, she is a wealth of information. She has a new series of podcasts on Substack about the coronation of King Charles II. It’s been fascinating to learn about what to expect for the big day next month.

Murder Mystery 2- I watched the first Murder Mystery with Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston a few years back and was excited to learn there was going to be a second movie. I recently watched Murder Mystery 2 on Netflix with my family and really enjoyed it. It was a bit different than the first, but had the classic ā€œwho done itā€ element. The second movie takes them to a different destination with characters old and new. I highly recommend it for a fun, family movie.

There you have it, a fun mix of favorites this week. This weekend has family time and a few activities lined up. Tell me: what do you have in store for the last weekend of April? Let me know in the comments below!