Happy Friday, and first day of June!
JUNE?
June!
This is when I start to panic that the summer is going to fly by before I get a chance to really savor and enjoy it. Isn’t that sick? That said, I’m going to try and spend some time outdoors everyday over the next three months (when it’s not raining, anyways,) to unplug, get away from the madness of everyday life, and just enjoy. That way I can look back in August and know I did all I could.
Luckily it’s a beautiful day here in central Iowa, and I’m headed out for a nice run after I hit publish. I hope you’ll be able to do some of the same this weekend, but in the meantime, please enjoy my favorite finds from around the web and beyond in this week’s Friday Favorites! 
Favorite dessert: The Twix Tart. Chocolate + caramel + shortbread = SOLD! Look how dense & fudgy this pie is!
Favorite fashion: J Crew Ring Around Eyelot Top. Sweet & summery. Love the sleeve length too.
Favorite refresh: Lemon-Blueberry Cheesecake Bars. I wouldn’t normally associate cheesecake with refreshing but the cool, creamy lemon center looks so, well, refreshing!
Favorite movie: Snow White & The Huntsman. I made Ben promise to take me to this movie when it opened months ago, and am finally cashing in on said promise this weekend – muwahaha! Can’t wait. Although annoyingly moody at times, I still love me some K Stew.
Favorite combo: Toasted Coconut Vanilla Limeade. I would literally give my left arm for someone to show up at my house with a pitcher of this toasty, tasty combo this very minute. How do people come up with this stuff?!
Favorite woah: Italian Moon. Do you think this is Photoshopped? Either way – incredible!
Favorite twist: Mango Apple Salad with Sugared Lime Zest. A new twist on the classic “fruit salad”. My mouth puckers and waters at the same time just looking at this picture.
Favorite DIY: IKEA Bookshelf Office Space. A workspace hideaway built out of 3 IKEA bookshelves. Genius! I especially love the burlap backing.
Favorite supper: Pesto Pasta with Chicken Sausage & Roasted Brussels Sprouts. This supper literally includes all my favorite things. ALL THE THINGS!
Favorite pooch. SQUEE!
Favorite sip: Sparkling Watermelon Limeade. A cool, ultra refreshing beverage for the hottest of summer days. Love how it’s alcohol free, but could be jazzed up with a hit of white wine, or vodka.
Favorite outfit. Coral and gold is one of my all-time favorite combos.
Favorite bite: Asian Shrimp Dumpling. If these babies taste half as good as they look, then I am in for a real treat. 
Favorite app: Wedding Snap. OH how I wish this existed when I got married! Have your friends snap pics at your wedding, then upload them in real time to a personal website which displays them all.
Favorite light bite: Thai Mango Salad. Love the sweet-tart dressing for this fresh, light salad. I would inhale this.
Favorite decor: Vintage Travel Posters. Want. So bad. ‘Nuf said.
Favorite feel good: Black Bean Veggie Tacos. An awesome combo of fresh veggies, flavorful cheese, and hearty black beans. This is feel good food, for sure!
Favorite funny. Sorry, but I laughed for legit 10 minutes when I saw this!
Favorite picture. Growing up, my neighbor had a natural hole like this in their fence which their black lab would always stick its nose through. We had so much fun with her.
Favorite treat: Caramel Marshmallow Popcorn. Perhaps I’ll make a batch to bring to Snow White?! YUM!
Ultimate Mr. Bar-B-Q Grilling Package Giveaway!
Whether you’re looking for the ultimate Father’s Day gift, or just need to outfit your grilling station before summer really sets in, you need to check out this Ultimate Grilling Package giveaway from Mr. Bar-B-Q! I’ve reviewed Mr. Bar-B-Q’s Grill Cover and Grill Skillet in the past, and have been so impressed. Their products not only look great, but work well, and are of high quality.
Mr Bar-B-Q put together the ultimate grilling package to give to one reader, which includes an 18-Piece Platinum Prestige Stainless Steel Tool Set and Magnetic Grill Light Combo Kit, Oversized Grilling Basket,
Collegiate Grill Cover (available in a number of different teams,) Grill Stone Pizza Kit, and a Cast Iron Wok. That’s over $200 in grilling gear – whee!
Enter to win this entire package by Sunday, June 3 at 12pm central, up to 2 times. Here’s how:
- Leave a comment on this post telling me your favorite thing about your Dad (or step-dad, Grandpa, or father-figure!)
- “Like” Mr. Bar-B-Q’s Facebook page and leave a second comment here letting me know you’ve done so.
Good luck, everyone, and have an awesome weekend!
I obviously missed the boat on the giveaway but my dad is the funniest, smartest man I know. Among other things, I was blessed with his completely dirty sense of humor, but I wouldn’t change it for the world.
That eyelet top…OMG!!!
I love the way my dad smells (is that wierd?) dunno but he always smells clean! Like he just took a shower in a far away waterfall or something!
LOVE the vintage posters!!
I just liked Mr. Bar B Q on facebook! Thanks for the giveaway!
I love that my dad was never afraid to sing with me – we’d sing at the dinner table, in the car, and in church! He would make me smile with his silly songs (You are My Sunshine) and would always tell me my voice was beautiful.
My favorite thing about me dad is the way he cooks. He went to culinary school and I love trying the new dishes he makes.
My dad is so intelligent. He is amazing at investing and now is teaching our teenage son the ins & outs of the stock market, which is awesome (ds has been buying/selling stocks since he was 14 yo with his summer job money). My dad is also very funny in his own quiet way.
BTW – totally LOVE the Hawkeye grill cover. Both myself & dh are Iowa grads.
I liked the Mr. Bar-B-Q page on Facebook. Thanks for the giveaway!
My dad is such a nerd, but so awesome at the same time. He is always there for me and can make me feel better about anything.
My favorite thing about my dad… he’s so cool! He has all kinds of hobbies and friends. He loves spending a Sunday smoking meat, while smoking a cigar and reading in the backyard. He plays tennis, disc golf and ping pong with friends regularly. He rides a Harley and takes me and my 2 sisters to Rush concerts whenever they’re touring near us. And I can’t think of a single time that he’s ever embarassed me! Love him!
I love my daddy! I’m the only girl out of 5 kids so by default I’m his favorite
I totaly miss all of the sports moments and just throwing a ball in the back yard with my dad… It sucks to get old, but can’t wait till my little one is old enough for this!
I just HAD to say – “Look – it’s Cosmos’ moon!” (Can you guess my fave movie?)
My dad’s quirky sense of humor.
Thanks for the giveaway.
Lea
I love how may dad is always willing to help me (and everyone else) with any project, need, or problem. He is always there for me, no matter what.
I like Mr. Bar b Q’s on Facebook!
My stepdad really stepped in when we needed him in our lives. He worked multiple jobs to make ends meet and made sure my mom didn’t have to work too hard. I truly realized how amazing he was after I had my daughter. They have such a special bond and it so great watching them together!
I like Mr. BBQ on fb!
I love that my dad can make me laugh at any time. Even in the most stressful of situations!
Did you get to go see Snow White and the Huntsman? If so what did you think? I saw it on Friday night, and it was better than I expected it to be. There were some strange parts though, which I suppose is to be expected with Tim Burton
I have his eyes
I love how my dad can go anywhere and leave with new friends. He’s never met a stranger! My dad has always taught me to not take myself too seriously and find humor in everything–this has served me well throughout my life.
[...] winner of the Ultimate Grilling Giveaway package from Mr. Bar-B-Q [...]
The pie looks amazing.