Tag: sweet and salty

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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #120

Hello everyone! 

Happy Friday! I hope you had a great week. I am off for a little weekend getaway which is much needed after a hectic few weeks. I’m looking forward to some exploring, relaxing, and a change up from the regular routine. 

A beautiful start to the day.

As I continue my weekend away, I wanted to pop on here and share some things that have caught my attention and I have been loving this week.

Let’s get started as I link up with Erika and Andrea.

New Jacket– I mentioned that I am back to enjoying all the fall vibes and that includes fashion too. I got this heavier jacket/blazer from Old Navy and have been loving it. You can dress it up with a dress, skirt, or dress pants, or keep it casual with jeans and flats. I have worn it both ways and have been pleased with the end result. It’s definitely a thicker jacket which is perfect for this time of year. A fall favorite for sure!

Fall Trail Mix– If you have been a reader for a while, then you know I love all things sweet and salty. I made this fall trail mix for Halloween and have been enjoying it all this week. It’s so simple to make and I’m sure you have all or most of the ingredients at home or you can supplement it with your favorite snacks. I combined pretzels, peanuts, rice chex, candy corn, m&m’s, craisins, marshmallows and chocolate chips all together for a trail mix. You don’t have to incorporate all these snacks, you can just do a savory mix or a sweet mix, but I LOVE all the flavors. Perfect for an evening treat while you watch a movie.

Homemade Bread– I know making your own bread was big during the pandemic, but it seems to be making a resurgence. I am thinking about learning to make my own, but that might get pushed to the new year. One of my friends has started to bake her own sourdough bread and I was able to snag a loaf and it was delicious. Look how perfect it came out. We enjoyed it fresh with homemade soup and it was the perfect pairing! This gives me the push to learn how to make it on my own even more. 

Face Mask– I love pampering myself with sheet facemasks and tried this one recently. It was cooling and my face felt rejuvenated and fresh once I was done using it. I don’t pamper myself with face masks or beauty products too often, so when I do, it’s always a treat. I will definitely be buying this one again to use.

New Book Haul– I typically go to my local library once or twice a week to drop off or pick up books and recently, several books that have been on hold came in and I couldn’t wait to pick them up. Now, it’s just a matter of figuring out what book to start with…I have some mysteries, new releases and recommendations. Have you read any of them? If so, what are your thoughts? These will keep me occupied until I start reading holiday books.

That’s a look into life lately and what I’m loving. I’m off to continue my weekend break. I’ll see you back here on Wednesday! 

Have a great weekend!

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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #119

Hello All! HAPPY FRIDAY! We made it through the week! This has been a hectic week at both home and work, but we made it to Friday and I’m very grateful for that. I’m hoping things slow down just a bit, but we shall see.

The last of the fall leaves

I hope you have had a great week and are ready for the weekend and maybe have something fun planned. As we move away from all the Halloween fun, I am back into fall mode, before Christmas in just a few weeks. I really like to take this time for my prep or calm before the storm. I LOVE the holidays, but I’m hoping for a few quiet weeks before the hustle and bustle. 

Here’s a few things on my radar that I’m loving this week as I link up with Erika and Andrea.

Insight Timer– I recently started to try mediating, mindfulness, and deep breathing exercises. I have always taken time at the start and end of my day for prayer, but have also incorporated some guided breathing exercises too. I have found it to be very beneficial, especially when I am overwhelmed and stressed out. I typically take time at the start and end of my day for breathing, but have found myself doing exercises through the day too. I have been using the app, Insight Timer daily and it’s been doing a great job at holding me accountable and providing resources for guided meditations and breathing exercises. I am just using the free trial, but have been really loving it.

Atoms– Speaking of apps, I also have been using the app called Atoms to hold me accountable. The app was created by James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, a book I read this past year. I have really been loving his app which helps you track new habits or break bad habits. It sends you daily reminders about completing your tasks and gives you positive affirmations through the day as well. I have used the app to help with putting my phone down and now with meditation and both have been very helpful. I’m using the free version through this as well.

The Diplomat– Season two of The Diplomat starring Keri Russell came out last week and I have slowly been making my way through the season. It picks up right where it left off from season one. This show has me hooked with new characters, storylines and of course some crazy plot twists. The finale had me shocked and I can’t stop thinking about it. I binged a lot last weekend. You can watch the trailer here and stream season two on Netflix.

Outer Banks Part Two Out– Another season of a favorite show of mine is out. I mentioned this a few weeks ago, when the first part of Outer Banks season four was released, but now the second half was released and I can’t wait to watch. I may or may not have started depending on when you are reading this, but I can’t wait to see how season four wraps up. The premiere was really good and I’m looking forward to the rest of the episodes. The first half started out a bit slow, so I’m anxious to see what storylines get solved and what cliffhangers remain. Here’s a look at what you can expect.

Atmosphere– Taylor Jenkins Reid announced her new book coming out next summer last week. It’s called Atmosphere and I can’t wait to read it. Here’s a look at the synopsis and the cover art. I personally love the UK version more, but I can’t wait to get my hands on it. I doesn’t seem like it will be in the same universe as some of her other books, regardless, I can’t wait to read it.

That’s a look into life lately and what I’m loving. 

Tell me what are some highlights from your week? I would love to hear them! Have a fantastic weekend!

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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #87

Hello all! Happy Friday! We just about made it through March. Is it just me or is spring flying by?! I think a lot of it has to do with the fact we had such a mild winter. I love the sunshine, blue skies, and signs of a new life. It is Easter weekend here. 

Signs of spring

Although, earlier this year, the Easter holiday is such a good reminder that spring is right around the corner. I have a few fun Easter traditions planned for this weekend with family which I’m looking forward to. 

While we wait for the weekend, here’s some things I have been loving this week as I link up with  Erika and Andrea for another edition of Friday Favorites.

Strawberry Body Scrub– Let’s talk beauty! I got this body scrub as a gift and finally got around to using it. It’s been such a fun treat and product when I am getting ready in the morning. This full body scrub not only smells fresh and fruity, but I love the way it leaves your skin feeling. It especially feels great on rough or dry areas, like your hands or feet. Although, I tend to use scrubs more when I’m taking a bath, I have been using it in the shower too. I may save it to use in the spring and summer too as a way to pamper myself. 

Spring Jacket-Although, the sunshine is here, it still can be chilly which is why I am all about light jackets. I got this jacket for Christmas from Lululemon and I have been loving it in the spring. I love the color and the lightweight material too. I only have a few pieces from Lululemon and while they are expensive, they are great quality and I truly enjoy wearing them for out and about and working out.

Reading on my Phone– I never thought I would say this, but another favorite of mine from this week has been reading on my phone. I am a physical book gal, through and through, however, I have been downloading books through Libby (a library app) and have been reading on my phone a lot more. This typically happens when I am waiting for appointments or meetings. I don’t necessarily want to bring a big book with me, but I also don’t want to just sit and scroll on social media. Reading on my phone allows me to enjoy a favorite hobby and I feel more productive than just mindless scrolling. Although I read way more physical books than digital ones, it is nice to always have a book with me wherever I go. Plus, it’s easier when I’m traveling and I don’t want to lug a big book or two with me.

Chocolate Covered Almonds– Another food favorite. I am not a big almond person, they are my least favorite kind of nut, but we picked up these chocolate covered almonds from Wegman’s (a local grocery store) and they are addicting. We finished the container in a few days. I love a good sweet and salty mix (that’s my favorite kind of flavoring). The dark chocolate covering compliments the almond perfectly. These would be a perfect addition to a snack board or just eaten on their own. I enjoyed a few of them at lunch during the work week and it was just enough sweetness to satisfy my sweet tooth. I’m all about trying new snacks and these didn’t disappoint. I will definitely be buying again.

Edamame– I have been on an edamame kick recently. I used them for my salmon bowl recipe a few weeks ago and then included them with a sushi night. After having leftovers, I brought some in to enjoy at lunch. They are so easy to make, I just buy a store package, pop them in the microwave for 15-30 seconds and then you have a tasty and healthy snack. Although I love adding them into stir fries and salads, I enjoy eating them as is with a dash of salt. Yum! I’m a big veggie gal and I’m always looking for different ones to try and incorporate in my meals.

A favorite snack!

That’s some insight into what I’m loving this week. Some life hacks, clothing choices and food. You never know what you will get with Friday Favorites. I hope you have a wonderful Easter weekend if you celebrate. See you back here on Wednesday as we say hello to April!

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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #68

Hello All! 

Happy Friday!

This week flew by. November has been filled with work projects and events, seeing friends, preparing for the holidays and lots of deep cleaning and organizing. It’s been busy but I have been loving and embracing this slower season before the chaos of the holidays begins (which I love too).

Here’s a few things that I have been loving as I link up with Erika and Andrea or a fun roundup of Friday Favorites!

The Bodyguard-This is an older show, but new to me. Have you watched or heard of The Bodyguard. It came out in 2018 and is a limited series on Netflix. It’s all about a bodyguard for a government official in Great Britian, however, she starts receiving threats once he is assigned to her detail. She is targeted by bombings, shootings and car accidents, but the question remains, why? There’s only six episodes so you can easily binge through it in a week or over the course of the week. I personally finished it in a week but could have finished it sooner if I had more time. There were some major cliffhangers through the series and lots of plot twists. Themes of government corruption, espionage, PTSD, and love were all found in the series. Definitely worth the watch!

New Black Leggings– I have been on the hunt for some solid black leggings to wear around the house or when running errands. I found an inexpensive pair at Marshall’s, and I have been loving them. They are fleece-lined, but also thin so if you do decide to wear them in warmer weather, you won’t be sweating in them. They are soft and almost conform to your legs, so it doesn’t feel like you are wearing leggings. They one downside is that they aren’t high waisted, but I wasn’t necessarily looking for a high waited legging, but besides that, I love them!

Purple Sherpa-I have been on the hunt for a sherpa since the beginning of the fall, but never found what I was looking for when it comes to putting something on a chilly day. I popped into Old Navy last week and found lots of good deals (more coming in the next few weeks) but I finally found the sherpa I was envisioning, and it was a huge win for me! Here’s some of my favorite details, first, I love how warm and cozy it is, perfect to pair with leggings, jeans, or even sweatpants. It was a great price and style, and lastly, I fell in love with the color. I don’t have too much lavender, so I’m looking forward to bringing a new color in my wardrobe.

New Mascara– I am always trying out different brands when it comes to makeup. I have my favorite products that I use all the time (hello Sephora foundation and concealer), but for other products like mascara, I like to change it up and try new things. I saw this Maybelline mascara advertised on the TODAY show and wanted to try it. It has a thinner and smaller brush which I like since it lengthens your lashes and separates them more. I like the coverage it provides and how it doesn’t clump easily. I only need a coat or two and then I’m good to go. It’s fairly affordable and I can get it from most drugstores and big box stores. 

S’more Popcorn– Rounding up this edition of Friday Favorites is some S’more’s popcorn. We picked up a bag of this flavorful popcorn for a fundraiser and I was excited and intrigued to try it. In my opinion, there’s not a strong S’mores flavor found throughout the bag. There is seasoning on every piece of popcorn, but it’s not exactly marshmallow, graham cracker and chocolate. I would categorize this popcorn more as a sweet and salty mix. There’s a lot of flavors and it’s great to munch on during a movie night or for a post lunch snack, but I wouldn’t choose it if you just want the S’mores flavor. Regardless, it was still tasty and a great snack.

That’s a look into some of my favorite things from this week. Some snacks, some clothes and some beauty products!

Tell me: what are you looking forward for the final weekend before Thanksgiving? Let me know in the comments below!

Happy Weekend!

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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #67

Hey guys!

Happy Friday! I hope you had a great week as we countdown to Thanksgiving and the holidays. This week was a bit busier with some work events and projects, but we made it to the weekend! The weather has been cooler, so I have been spending more time indoors hence a lot of my favorites this week!

A perfect fall day!

Today is a mix bag of Friday Favorites as I link up with  Erika and Andrea .

Here’s been some things I have been loving this week.

M&M Mixed Bag– I know Halloween is over, but I am still enjoying candy. I love M&M’s and all the different flavors and types. When I saw this mixed bag at the store I had to try it. Regular M&M’s, Peanut M&M’s and Peanut Butter M&M’s in one bag? Sign me up. I love how you can get a different flavor every time. I used some of them in some protein balls I made recently, and they really added to the flavoring. These would be a perfect pairing with popcorn or in a trail mix if you like that extra crunch and sweet and salty taste. 

A sweet hit!

All the Light We Cannot See– The miniseries, All The Light We Cannot See based on the book by Anthony Doer came out last week and I watched it over the course over the weekend and really enjoyed it. I read the book last year and although it was a heavier topic, I found myself hooked from the beginning. I was curious to see how the miniseries would be compared to the book. There were definitely some differences between the two. I enjoyed the book on its own and the miniseries on its own, but with any adaption of a book to the screen there were times when I was hoping for one thing and got something different. This article does a great job at comparing the two. However, I enjoyed the miniseries and glad I watched it.

A great mini series!

Pumpkin Black Bean Soup– I can’t remember where I saw this recipe for Pumpkin Black Bean soup, and I couldn’t wait to try it. We made it around Halloween. This was a delicious recipe that had a great mix of spice and savory. I know I will be making it again, especially in the fall. Plus, it’s very healthy too. I love how thick and creamy it was too! It was the perfect harvest soup!

Santa Clause Series Returns– I’m not in the Christmas mode yet, but I am excited to get into the spirit with season two of the Santa Clause Series on Disney Plus. I really enjoy the classic, original movies with Tim Allen and was excited to see how the series would go. I thought season one was good and a good way to get into the holiday season. I was excited to hear that the show got renewed for season two. I’m looking forward to seeing what this season brings. Plus, this will be a great way to get into the holiday spirit ahead of the season.

The Murdaugh Murders Season 2– I know I am late to the party on this one, but I finally got around to watching season two of the Murdaugh Murders season two. I watched season one when it came out and was hooked and when season two came out, I knew I had to watch. It may have taken me a little while to watch it, but once I did, I finished it in two nights. I had followed the trial this past year and was interested to see what things I could learn from the documentary series. I found the behind the scenes look so interesting. If you love a true crime that’s still happening, you will want to watch this. 

That’s a look into what I’m loving this week. A lot of shows and miniseries and somethings I’m planning on watching!

Tell me: how have you been enjoying the month of November? What do you have in store for the next few weeks? 

Have a great weekend!