Happy Friday, y’all!
Thank you for the well wishes yesterday! Ben and I went out for a nice, romantic dinner, and sipped on what has become my new favorite drink – a Georgia Jack Ass. It’s a Moscow Mule (vodka, ginger beer, and lime) made with peach vodka. BEST DRINK EVER!
I already have plans to make a Des Moines Donkey. Just deciding on what flavor of vodka to use. Perhaps a sweet corn vodka infusion sesh is in order?! 
At any rate, I’m off to finish getting the house ready for Ben’s family, who arrives tonight, and to start PACKING! I can practically feel the warm, Jamaican sand between my toes! Have an awesome weekend everyone, and please enjoy my favorite finds from the web and beyond in this week’s Friday Favorites! 
Favorite over the top: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Devil’s Food Cheesecake. Ummm, are you kidding me… Whee!
Favorite furballs. Best buddies! Look at the eyeballs of the pup on the bottom – BAHAHA!
Favorite mini: Mini Fish Tacos. Love, love, love, these fresh and flavorful bites. These would be such a hit at a beach-themed party or something!
Favorite before & after. This garage turned amazing loft living space makes me want to do some serious home renos.
Favorite dress: Kelly Green Ruffle Dress. I was just telling a friend how into kelly green I am right now. I have a dress in this same cut too, and it’s my fave!
Favorite drool: Grilled Chese Sandwich. If the owner of this sammich could come make it for me ASAP that’d be great, mmkay? Thanks.
Favorite jeans: MiH Marrakesh Jeans. A friend of mine was wearing these jeans at the shower last weekend, and they are STUNNING! At least half the girls there asked her where she got them. The fabric looks like a fine corduroy/denim/linen mix, and apparently you can find them for much cheaper by digging around the web a bit!
Favorite sweet: The Best Chocolate Cake Ever with Pudding Frosting. I can practically taste this sweet, moist, and delicious cake through my SCREEN!
Favorite DIY: Map Page Letters. CHEAP and so cute.
Favorite idea: Cinnamon Rolls cooked in Oranges. I suppose it’d be easier to convince me to go camping if I was promised cinnamon rolls cooked in hollowed out orange halves over the campfire in the morning. 
Favorite weeknight yum: Prosciutto, Asparagus and Parmesan Pasta. Fridge and pantry staples made into an ultra-satisfying and easy supper.
Favorite photo. Bright barn + long exposure = wonderful.
Favorite combo: Sugar Cookie Squares with White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake Frosting. Pink! Sweet! Fluffy! All the things!
Favorite funny. I can’t even handle the cuteness…
Favorite wow: Chopped Avocado Salad. Looks super impressive, but directions sound really easy. The best kind of dish!
Favorite tip. Line a crispy taco shell with a large leaf of lettuce. When you bite in and the shell inevitably shatters, the lettuce will hold all your toppings together. Why didn’t I think of that?!
Favorite top: Twist & Flounce Tank. Adore the corkscrew twist, color, AND long length!
Favorite bite: Amaretto Soaked White Chocolate Cherries. I could see myself eating about 4,000 of these.
Favorite bar: Warm Toasted Marshmallow S’mores Bars. My little brother emailed these to me with the words “this” or “giddyup” or something to that effect. Couldn’t have said it better myself, bro!
Have an awesome weekend everyone! 
I’m pretty much dying over that Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Devil’s Food Cheesecake. I need some now!
Those are some FANTASTIC favorites!! Have a wonderful weekend Kristin and have a relaxing vacation!
You could make your Des Moines Donkey with Bakon Vodka… Just a thought
Hahaha, that’s what I thought, but it got a big veto from Ben. Damn!
Your Friday Faves kick butt this week!
Not that they aren’t always fabulous! I also have been loving the 50 min/ 5.45 mile tredmill workout! It keeps me from getting bored!
i LOVE these posts. and especially this one. um, the lettuce in the taco idea: GENIUS. and i think i’m gonna make those smore bars this weekend. THANKS!!
Love this post! So many great ideas. I have added the pasta to my dinner list for next week!
Love that tank top. I really need to go shopping. I’m pretty sure I haven’t bought clothes (besides workout gear) in at least 6 months. My closet is looking tragic…
that cheesecake + the grilled cheese are making my mouth water. Oh how I love cheese. Have a great time on your trip!
That barn is in Middletown, PA about 10 minutes from my house. It’s called The Star Barn and there has been huge controversy surrounding it… due to it’s location they want to tear it down and they are trying to raise money to save it by relocating it!
Whoa. Such an impressive catalog of faves. Must try the orange rolls over a fire!
I LOVE your posts, but why am I not following you on Pinterest? How can do that?!?
Love your friday favorites posts. They are always the perfect mix of food, fashion & fun! That kelly green dress is super cute!
xo
Sam
That avocado salad is a work of art. Going to have to try that one. What’s not to like about shrimp and avocados?
I am so glad you posted that kelly green dress. I went to the website for the first time ever and will be ordering two dresses for my trip to Puerto Vallerta in early May. Thanks! I cant wait for the beach =)
Is it just me or do the dogs have a gold manicure? So cute!
I noticed that too! Too funny.
Next time you are down in New Orleans you will have to try The Green Godless’ “Father Pat’s Grilled Cheese”:
Cahill’s Irish Porter cheddar cheese, made with Guinness,
and pear butter on wholegrain 3 seed bread.
It’s to die for!
Great list! I can’t wait to try a Georgia Jack Ass! Moscow Mule’s are one of my favorites!
http://thecyclistswife.blogspot.com/2011/08/moscow-mules.html
what about putting the lettuce on the OUTSIDE, so the delicious taco shell stays with the taco goodies too??
ooo ooo or a FLOUR torilla on the outside, then nacho cheese, then lettuce, then hard shell, then inside goodies.
now that my mouth is watering at the thought… so… tacos this weekend?? haha.
cheers.
Have a great vacation! We will miss your posts, do you have guests lined up?
Thanks so much for sharing my chocolate cake! It’s seriously the best ever…I need to make it again…this weekend!
Love the taco tips … inside and out.
The avocado salad is amazing! Great post as always!
Love using pudding as frosting! My mil got me started doing that. Make a packaged devil’s food cake mix like normal. Then mix prepared vanilla pudding with whipped topping and frost your cake! So cold and creamy, awesome
Not that I needed another reason to look forward to Fridays, but I LOVE these posts. Thanks for sharing such good stuff!
i need that twist & flounce tank! too bad i’m on a shopping ban!
the baby elephant is so cute!
I’m loving that tank top! I’m now on a search to find something similar but a little cheaper. If only I’d won the mega millions…
I loved that prosciutto, asparagus and parm pasta! I had to pin it: http://www.pinterest.com/blackbirdideas
I love that there are so many cake pictures in this Friday Favorites post. Happy weekend hun!
Consider River Baron Artisan Spirit for your Des Moines Donkey. It’s made in LeClaire, IA at the Mississippi River Distillery and has a wonderful sweet hint of butterscotch flavor in a vodka. HyVee carries it in eastern Iowa. Can’t wait to try your creation! http://www.mrdistilling.com/frame/products_river_baron.shtml
I’m going to have to vote for the bacon again…c’mon, it’s IOWA!!!!
The grilled cheese looks like it’s made with sharp cheddar. That’s what I make mine with and it’s so much better than that fake stuff.
That garage turned into such a gorgeous loft! I’d love to live in one of those.
Thanks for all the yummy and inspiring looking pics! That pasta is something I could eat myself sick on I think ;P Happy Easter to you and your loved ones and enjoy Jamaica!
I love, love, love your ‘Friday Favorites’!!! I always love the doggie pics and the cake recipes! Thank you!!!
That chopped avocado salad with the shrimp looks amazing. I just ate too, but it made me hungry anyways. Great list.
I couldnt get the website link to those sugar cookie bars to work……they look amazing and delicious. Could you send me the link.
Thanks so much!
I love that cheesecake, map letters and the yellow tank!
Wow! So much pretty all in one post. I think I’m having an overdose or something! Thanks for linking to my Amaretto Cherries. Love your blog!
What amazing “favourites” those were. Thanks for grouping them together. I can’t wait to try some of them. Happy Easter!
I love that DIY letter map. That would be a perfect birthday gift for my husband.
I made those s’mores bars this weekend…super easy and ooooh my gosh, even more delicious!!
I’m honored that you put my pasta dish up as one of your favorites. I adore your blog.
I made the Prosciutto, Asparagus and Parmesan Pasta this weekend. I added a layer of sauted spinach. It was wonderful.