Happy Friday everyone!
It just hit me the other day that it’s nearly February. As in the month of Valentine’s Day. As in the month before I start seriously thinking that Spring is right around the corner (and am inevitably reminded by snow storm after snow storm for the next three months that it’s definitely not right around the corner.) As in the month my baby turns six months old!
I am so behind the times – I just took Lincoln’s 5 month pictures this week! (Side note, I want to eat my child. Should I be worried?)
Anyway, we’ve got an uneventful last weekend in January on the horizon, thank goodness. I foresee furniture shopping (we backed out of the dining room table purchase – long, tortuous story that I can’t even relive,) brunch at a cute bakery in town that has the best almond milk lattes, and perhaps hitting the mall in our future. Fun!
Wherever you are, and whatever you do, have a wonderful weekend and in the meantime please enjoy my favorite finds from around the web and beyond in this week’s Friday Favorites!
Click on the light blue links to be taken to the original source!
Favorite must-have: Simple Chocolate Birthday Cake with Whipped Chocolate Buttercream. I have never wished to turn another year older until this very moment. I NEED this cake in my life!!
Favorite hack: IKEA Hack Farmhouse Table. I would be all over this stunning IKEA hack farmhouse table if it fit in my dining room. It’s fabulously shabby chic, has the bench seat I’m after, and is about $2,000 less than the Pottery Barn lookalike I’ve been eyeing!
Favorite snack: The Laughing Cow® Light Queso Fresco & Chipotle Cheese Wedges + fresh apple slices. I am thrilled to announce that I have partnered with The Laughing Cow in 2014 to share new products, healthy living tips, snack ideas, giveaways, and more!
I’ve used The Laughing Cow cheese wedges in recipes like Sun-Dried Tomato & Basil Stuffed Chicken and Lighter Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese in the past, but they’re also great to pair with healthy snacks like fresh apple slices. The smoky flavor of the Light Queso Fresco & Chipotle cheese wedge is divine with a sweet and crunchy apple. TRY IT. New favorite flavor combo!
Favorite crunch: Cool Ranch Roasted Chickpeas. Have you ever had roasted chickpeas? They’re FABULOUS. Beyond crunchy – like homemade corn nuts! I can’t wait to give this Cool Ranch-flavored variety a try.
Favorite fashion: Meeting Point Dress. Wouldn’t this dress be adorable for a summer wedding?
Favorite bite: Buffalo Quinoa Bites. Perrrrfect for the Super Bowl. Cannot wait to make these. Bet they freeze well, too.
Favorite slurp: Ski Soup with Italian Sausage. A big bowl of ski soup is the perfect remedy for the sub zero temps we’ve been rocking this week. Seriously, it is so freaking cold. A hearty soup is just what I need to warm up with!
Favorite accent: Leather Studded Typesetter Plaque. Isn’t this smart looking? Would look awesome on the picture ledge above our big couch that we’re slowly styling.
Favorite upgrade: Garlicky & Cheesy Crispy Potato Skins. Who needs regular potato skins when you can have garlicky & cheesy crispy potato skins?! Oo la la!
Favorite sip: Winter Bourbon Smash. I had a cranberry whiskey smash at a restaurant a few months ago and it was absolutely divine. Love this twist on the recipe!
Favorite spot: Southern Screened in Porch. One thing Ben and I want to do in the future is build a screened in porch onto the back of our house. Doesn’t this look like the perfect spot to relax and sip coffee?
Favorite homemade: Raspberry Jam Crostata. This elegant yet easy pastry looks like a delicious, homemade poptart. ‘Nuf said!
Favorite fake-out: Eggplant Parmesan Sliders. “Chicken” parmesan sandwiches, made with eggplant rounds. Brilliant! I started digging eggplant after Ben made it a bunch of times during the last month of my pregnancy (FYI – the old wives tale did not work!) It’s creamy yet meaty, and takes on flavors really well. Can’t wait to make these.
Favorite find: Corso Como Sussex Boots. I’ve been looking for black boots that don’t look like serial killer boots for years, and think these might be it. So sleek! (Thanks to Julie for helping me find them!)
Favorite splurge: Boozy Brownies with Salted Caramel Rum Sauce. Chocolate + Booze + Salted Caramel? YES! Look how dense and fudgy!
Love that Ikea hack. I’ve been looking for a new table for my dining room. And those boozy brownies…yum.
I have Fitbit on my wish list. It would be great to win! Thanks!
Lincoln reminds me a little of your nephew, Finn!
My sister loves her fitbit. Love your round up of favorites, too.
Yes, please! You little man is a doll! Love that little face.
Congrats on your new sponsorship! We love Laughing Cow cheese in my house, so I’m looking forward to your recipes. I can’t wait to go through these later tonight!! (That table…wha…? NEED!!)
Those were some great finds for Friday Favorite! The cake and bourbon smash look amazing… Thank you for the opportunity to win a FitBit, it’s been on my wish list for a while now!
Your little guy is so adorable! And I agree, Jenna’s crostata just looks delicious! Definitely need to make it!
I would like to learn more about the fitbit. I have seen it, but would def like to have one.
I cannot decide between the cake and the brownies. Both look amazingly chocolatey and I want some.
OMG! I love that soup and the potato skins. They are definitely going in my recipe folder! What a great giveaway. Thanks for sharing!
Kristin, you better believe that I had made that Bourbon Smash before I got to the end of your blog post! I made it with some local Marionberry jam and it’s goooooood! I always love your finds!