***Looking for the recipes you saw on KCCI this morning? Click for the Raspberry Vanilla Cheesecake Bites and Hot Pepper Jelly Dip!***
Hello, and happy Friday!
Cooking on KCCI went well, although I noticed 5 minutes before we went live that coffee had been dribbling out of my mug and down my blouse the entire morning – BLERG! Thankfully it dried seconds before I made Raspberry Vanilla Cheesecake Bites and Hot Pepper Jelly Dip on air! 
Eek! 
Don’t forget you have until tonight at 5pm central to enter the Panera Gift Card Giveaway. Ugh…what I wouldn’t give for a Cinnamon Crunch Bagel right now... Ahem, anyways, without further ado, here are my favorite finds for the week!
Favorite oh no she didn’t: Salty Caramel Oat Bars. If someone could just go ahead and show up at my house with a batch of these right about now, that’d be great, thanks.
Favorite Kitchen Find: West Elm Modern Bowls. So whimsical, and I love the size!
Favorite fantasy: Thalassini Church in the Grecian Cyclades Islands. There was a church that looked almost exactly like this in Praiano on the Amalfi Coast that I just adored. I love the nearly 360 degree view here though!
Favorite dinner idea: Herbed Risotto with Chicken and Caramelized Onions. Seriously, like, all my favorite things on one plate.
Favorite holiday hairstyle: Simple Gibson Tuck. Someday!
Favorite stocking stuffer: Jennifer Aniston’s perfume. I’m not a big perfume girl – it’s usually way too strong – but this is a perfectly light and pleasant scent.
Favorite easy holiday decor: Knitting Needle Tree. You have GOT to click over to see this – so incredibly easy, and I just love the look!
Favorite drool-worth photo: 100 Layer Lasagna. Oh to have just one bite!
Favorite bag: J Crew Marceau Hobo. This is everything I’m looking for in a purse. I may just splurge and get it!
Favorite foodie gift: Cuisinart Mini Food Processor. This baby is my saving grace in the kitchen. I use it for chopping onions, garlic and veggies, and mixing batters like for the cheesecakes. A must-have item for any home cook!
Favorite funny: Hilarious animal expressions. I dare you not to laugh out loud!!!
Favorite piece of jewelry: MXMJewelry Initial Ring. I think this is unique and sweet.
Favorite do I dare?!: Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Grapes & Walnuts. Ok, sounds totally nuts, but my Mom said a friend’s daughter made it and it was awesome!
Favorite ‘if only’. Haaaaa!
Favorite slurp: Spicy Tomato Soup. We all know how I feel about tomato soup, but this looks so dang good!
Favorite sweet sip: Starbuck’s Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate. I tried a sample of this last night and OMG – it was amazing. They even sprinkle salt on top! Tip: order it “short” which is just 8oz. That’s all you’ll need of this rich drink.
Favorite photos: National Geographic’s 2011 Photo Contest Roundup. Super cool!
Favorite Friday night activity: Watching The Hangover that just came out on DVD – whee!
Have a great weekend everyone!
PS: would you take a few seconds to help my brother claim the title of Social Czar of Des Moines (how cool is that?!) Simply click this link, select “Justin Wise” and hit “Done”. We thank you!!!
You look so great on the video! And I LOVE those bowls–thanks so much for sharing.
that ring… going on my wish list! Love!
I love the shirt you wore for your TV segment. Where did you get it??
Thanks! It’s from Ann Taylor Loft!
Not sure how you come up with all these – your Friday finds always seem all over the place (in an AWESOME way!). Thanks for the good tips, recipes, finds, etc. Happy Friday!
Your Friday Favorites series are my absolute favorite! I end up pinning about half your post. I love the ornament tree using a knitting needle! I think that’s going on the list for decorations next year. Congrats on another successful TV appearance!
i’m making your moms Party Potatoes tomorrow for a christmas party at my favorite dive bar. i’m not even gonna make a sample batch to try them out first (which i ALWAYS do with something i’ve never made before) cuz i just know they will be wonderful! i’m going to double (maybe triple?) the recipe and use the crock from my BIG crock pot to bake them in, in the oven. i think they should bake up ok….don’t you? might have to bake them a little bit longer since it will be a big, deep batch.
Oo good question! I bet the potatoes would cook, but I’m not sure how crispy the cornflakes would get. Maybe you can bake the cornflakes separate and then sprinkle them on top?!
Omg 100layer lasagna? Crazy! I tried the salted caramel hot chocolate last year and loved it! Happy Friday!
I love Fridays!!! Big bowl of happy to see your list. You looked awesome on the segment!!!! Have a great weekend, Kristen!
What a rockstar!
Love these Friday Favorites! Have a lovely weekend!
congrats you did great and looked so cute!
My son woke me up this morning in time to see your segment! You did great!
Now you have me craving a Starbucks Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate…never had one, but I’m definitely wanting one now!
By the way- thanks for your great blog. You inspire me to cook more for my family and to have FUN while doing it!
definitely agree with the salted caremel hot chocolate – it is sooo good and rich.
I’ve always wanted to come to Iowa! I’ll be right over
Urggghh, I think I’ve bookmarked every initial item you’ve posted!!!! They are so cute
PS-voted for your brother too
Wow, it seems like ages since I’ve watched Iowa news, it doesn’t seem like it has changed much in 20 years, but you did a wonderful job and I will certainly be trying that dip. I have to tell you I roast just about every vegetable you can think of, but I’ve never thought about adding fruit to it. Are you up for making a savory bread pudding? I was thinking wild mushrooms and Gruyère cheese, but that is as far as I’ve gotten.
Hahah I love the picture of the dog in the towel! The best part? That’s the kind of dog I have!! But, when she has her bath, she looks quite the opposite, ha!
Love that lasagna & salted caramel hot chocolate! Happy Friday!!
Loved the video of you and those cheesecake bites are just perfect!!
So fun to see your recipe segments! Way to go! You rocked it. And super cute gold necklace.
Love you Friday favs…I am going to try and make that fun tree!
I’m going to have to watch the video when I get home tonight, I love that you’re a “regular” on TV now! I’m so bad about spilling on myself on important days – but have yet to spill IN the actual important meeting. One of the senior directors was telling me yesterday about spilling a full mug of coffee right in the middle of a meeting with the CFO, head legal counsel, etc…and it started pouring out the hole in the middle of the table for phone cords – onto everyone’s knees!!! Thankfully it wasn’t a fresh cup and no one was burnt – but can you even imagine?! I’d be mortified!
Hi! I used to shudder at cooking and trying out any new recipes, but I have your blog to thank for stepping out of my comfort zone over a year ago and starting to cook/bake. Thank you so much for your blog, ideas, and recipes!
I do have a question for you. With the holidays rolling in, I am putting a food processor on my Wish List. Do you have a size that you would recommend? All I have now is a mini (one-ish cup size) processor, and I am looking at a bigger size. What would you recommend? What size do you have?
I have a 4 cup mini one: http://astore.amazon.com/iogiea09-20/detail/B000YA8R6U I LOVE it – perfect for all the ends and ends chopping I need to do!
Ok, so I posted my comment after I watched your food segment video and saw you using a food processor.
I just finished reading your Friday Favorites post from today, and I saw that you listed a food processor. Is that the brand and size you have?
Yep!
I clicked on the link for that spicy tomato soup and realized that I had every single ingredient in my fridge/pantry (love when that happens). I made it this afternoon, and it is SO GOOD! I don’t like Campbell’s tomato soup either, but this is really more like a minestrone.
I set some aside for my toddler before adding the red pepper flakes, and she devoured it too. Try it – so good!
You were so great on TV, such a natural! I was very impressed. I am going to make those mini cheesecakes for my holiday party tomorrow night!
So love the Gibson tuck! I’m totally wearing it right now! It was super easy and something even I could do! YAY!
And BTW I am bringing the dip to my sister’s next weekend.
I love those bowls and purse you posted! And I voted for your brother too!
I seriously cracked up so hard when I saw that picture of the dog it looks EXACTLY like my dog and he loves to be dried off. So funny! And I’m craving hot chocolate now….
You are a professional on TV! So fun to watch that and the recipes sound delicious.
My favs from above include that food processor and the salted caramel hot chocolate too. Good tip with ordering the short size as I agree, it is quite rich.
ohmygosh that PUPPYYYYYYYY.
bookmarked that tomato soup recipe! thanks!
Congrats on another TV spot. You are awesome! I can’t wait until you are on the Food Network
It will happen! Great Friday list…as always.
So Cute this morning! What is the charity of your brothers choice? Would love to vote for him.
His charity is The Move Project: http://themoveprojectsite.com/
Wonderful, He got my vote! Awesome!
Voted for Justin–hope he wins! And you were fantastic again on KCCI, Kristin. (I think they should just give you your own cooking show already—it would be the best!)
Love the Greek yogurt trick to lighten up the cheesecakes.
Hi, Kristin! I just discovered your blog through Pinterest, and I absolutely love it. Well done! It’s looking like we might be moving to Iowa in about 2 years due to my hubby’s job, and I’m trying to learn as much as I can about the food scene in Iowa, among other things. Thank you for a delightful new read!
Hangover fans, unite! I would eat Ryan Gosling. Just saying.
Great job! How do you get your hair so shiny??
Great job on KCCI and that pic of Ryan Gosling cracked me UP!!!!! Oh and I voted for Justin….hope he wins!
Your segment was great! I am always looking for something quick and relatively easy for work potlucks. Had to make the hot pepper dip today because anything with cream cheese and sour cream can’t be wrong. The cocoa is awesome too, had to get one after errands this morning. And the bars are on the agenda for tomorrow. Loved this post (can you tell??)!!
The tomato soup looks very slurp-licious! Reminds me of spaghettios but all “grown up”!
Next year I am making that needle ornament tree fo sho! Also just voited for your brother
I always LOVE every single one of your Friday Favorites!
Tried the simple gibson tuck on my hair for xmas eve and it looked so simple yet elegant, thanks so much for sharing!!!