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!
Jennifer @ Also Known As...the Wife 01.24.2014
I gave my husband a FitBix Flex for Christmas and he loves it and of course now I want one too.
I pinned Teigan’s chocolate cake earlier in the week as well. It reminds me of a cake we used to get for my mom’s birthday from a local diner in Philadelphia.
Jessie 01.24.2014
I had to laugh at your comment about the eggplant. I also tried to induce labor by eating TONS of it! Glad I’m not the only one! I also pinned the cool ranch roasted chickpeas this morning, so now I’m going to HAVE to try them!
Francine 01.24.2014
That table…. I want it. And yes, I’ve had similar feelings about my baby. :)
Dana 01.24.2014
Thanks for the mention, Kristin! Lovely giveaway too! And YO BABY is DA CUTEST.
Anna 01.24.2014
I don’t know why everyone has such a problem finding black boots, I’ve got a few pairs of cute ones and have found a few more that are on my wishlist. It’s really no harder than finding brown boots, which I actually find much hard because they can look too cowboyish for my tastes.
Sasha 01.24.2014
Wow! Thank you so much for the share on the brownies! You’re an inspiring blogger and it’s a huge honor. :) From one Iowa girl to another.. thank you and have a wonderful weekend!
Hillary 01.24.2014
Thank you for always making your giveaways so easy to enter :) There are times when I feel like the hoops to jump through are endless! A small thing, but so appreciated. Love seeing Friday Favorites!
Claire 01.24.2014
Would you mind sharing what place has the best almond milk lattes? I would love to check out a new place, and lattes are my favorite!
Kristin 01.24.2014
La Mie! :)
Jodi 01.24.2014
He is adorable, I can see why you want to eat him :)
So many awesome things in this post…especially that cake and that soup! It’s so cold here, I could go for a huge bowl!
Amber 01.24.2014
I have those boots – I got them at Von Maur. I LOVE them, I’ve worn them almost every day this winter.
Kristin 01.24.2014
Ooo, good to know – I’ll have to check them out in person this weekend!
erin @hooleywithaz 01.24.2014
1) corso como are the most comfortable shoes in the world.
2) cheese and apples 4EVA.
3) i really want those buffalo bites. now.
also, as an aside, not weird you want to eat your child. i don’t blame you one bit!
Liz N. 01.24.2014
Hi Kristin! I just had to ask you about the FitBit Force’s wristband. I’ve read so many negative comments on Amazon.com recently about the brand being difficult to snap on, not snapping properly and how it has the tendency to come off without the person knowing. Have you encountered any of these issues at all? BTW, you are in big trouble when Lincoln grows up…how many girls will be showing up at the house or hiding notes in his backpack?! What a handsome little guy!
Kristin 01.24.2014
I’ve been wearing mine for about a week and haven’t had any issues!
Sarah 01.24.2014
Kristin, I recommend researching the Force a bit more – check out the fitbit user forums as well. The force has been causing major burn and irritation issues with a huge number of users – showing up at about 1 month of wear. ABC News, The Consumerist, Huffington Post, etc have been reporting on it. My boyfriend is one of the few fortunate ones who Fitbit agreed to pay his medical bills. Fitbit has went as far as to say they’re looking into a redesign because so many people have been effected.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/13/fitbit-force-rashes_n_4590859.html
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/fitbit-apologizes-for-reported-skin-rashes-offers-refund/
http://consumerist.com/2014/01/13/fitbit-force-is-an-amazing-device-except-for-my-contact-dermatitis/
Kristin 01.25.2014
Oh my gosh that’s terrible! Like I said, I have not had any problems in the week I’ve been using the force (otherwise I definitely would not have given one away), but I can put anyone in touch with my contact at Fitbit if they’re having issues/have any questions!
sandy 01.24.2014
I have the Fit Bit Force and I don’t know anyone who is happy with the band. EVERYONE on the discussion board complains about the band and how easy it can fall off your wrist and everyone has contacted the company. Some have even lost it (FitBit will replace with receipt). It’s ridiculous. Someone suggested purchasing these O-rings at Home Depot (rubber circle used for plumbing or something). This is the only thing that holds the band on just in case the two prongs aren’t properly pushed into the holes.. and believe me, my thumb is sore from trying to push those prongs in. Very bad design flaw but absolutely LOVE what the watch does.
Dee 01.24.2014
Yay for Friday Favorites! And a bourbon drink to boot! This Kentucky girl loves it.
Trisha 01.24.2014
I am in that same exact boat with the black boots, why are they all so mean looking?!
Ali 01.24.2014
I want to eat my child too… I hope that’s nothing to worry about!
Alaina @ Fabtastic Eats 01.24.2014
I have been eying the FitBit for awhile, but I keep going back and forth between that and the Jawbone! Ahh what a great giveaway!
oh and those boozy brownies. Mouthwatering.
Brownies & a FitBit…thats what I care most about? Life’s about balance, right? ;)
P.S. Your little boy is absolutely adorable! It goes WAY to fast!
Claire @ Bloom. 01.24.2014
Oh. My. Goodness. Lincoln is so big! What a cutie! Happy Friday!
Kerr 01.24.2014
I love that dress! !
Becky 01.24.2014
I’d be worried if you DIDN’T want to eat your child ;) Lincoln is SO adorable and looks like a happy, content baby!
Jessica 01.24.2014
Great Giveaway, I think the FitBit Force would be just the fitness motivation I need to get me over the feb slump!