Friday Favorites

Happy Friday (more like Fri-YAY!) everyone! Wait, did I use that joke last week? Doesn’t matter, still applicable.

I’ve been kicking butt and taking names over the past couple of days and, after heading into Monday feeling overwhelmed, I’m dancing out of Friday feeling much more prepared.

The house is clean and ready for my in-laws’ arrival, Ben is on big present assembly duty tonight (here’s hoping he’s not up until 3am putting together a toy kitchen!) smaller presents have been wrapped, and Lincoln’s birthday party is pretty much planned. I went to Nobbies a couple nights ago and picked up every Sesame Street-themed decoration I could find because I’m a sucker like that. We went very low-key for Lincoln’s first birthday, just decorating with balloons, but now that he’s got actual interests, we’re hooking the little man up! Can’t wait to see the look on his face when he comes downstairs tomorrow morning and sees a lifesize Abby Cadabby head boinging down from the ceiling.

Who am I?

Anyway, it’s supposed to be a gorgeous weekend and I can’t wait to celebrate my little bub turning 2. How in the world two years have gone by since the first time I held him in my arms, I will never know. The cheesy saying is so true – they grow up in the blink of an eye!

Well 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 the light blue links to be taken to the original source. 

Favorite fried: Sweet Potato Tots with Creamy Ketchup. I’ve been wanting to fry all the things since making my fried goat cheese balls a few weeks ago – it really is that easy – and next on my list are these crispy sweet potato tots (then fried pickles. I’m obsessed with Bubbies.) They’re calling my name!

Favorite jewelry: Olea Necklace. DY-ING over this gorgeous necklace from Anthro. Love the mix of materials, Grecian look, and the fact that it could be worn either dressed up or down.

Favorite bite: Cheesy Party Burgers (AKA Diamond Burgers). Just WAIT until you read this recipe. That glaze drizzle, man…

Favorite space: Mudroom Stripes. An attractive looking mudroom – it can be done! This space has so many things I like from that epic shoe sorter, to the framed chalkboard and adorable stripes.

Favorite snack. I recently created one of my favorite snacks using The Laughing Cow Cheese to date – graham crackers slathered with The Laughing Cow Original Swiss cheese then dolloped with blueberry preserves. Sweet, savory, crunchy, creamy – so delicious!

Favorite dinner: Garlic Sauce Chicken. This photo stopped me dead in my tracks. Don’t you want to lick the skillet?! I can’t wait to try this recipe which looks incredibly easy, too.

Favorite fashion: Trace Tunic. This adorable little number makes me want to book a trip to the Hamptons or something. Fresh and flowy, just like I like. Plus it’d pair perfectly with that Anthro necklace!

Favorite swirl: Simple Spaghetti Fra Diavolo. I’m not sure what I’d do if I ever had to give up pasta. Sit in a corner and cry, probably. This dish looks so inviting – I can taste a big fat swirly forkful just by looking at the picture.

Favorite treat: No Bake Berry Almond Tart. One of Ben’s favorite desserts is JELL-O No Bake Cheesecake (seriously,) topped with fresh berries. I love that I can make it a home, without a box, and easily adapt it to be gluten-free, too!

Favorite read: Dear Mommies… Though I am 100% loving the 2 year old phase right now, I am guilty for wishing for the next phase to come when Lincoln was a tiny baby (babies are a LOT of work!) That said, this article is a great reminder to enjoy today.

Favorite side: Roasted Fingerling Potatoes with Tarragon Shallot Butter. I made a batch of roasted potatoes earlier this week and it totally made me feel all Fall inside. Don’t get me wrong, I’m definitely not ready for summer to be over but, you know, it was a nice little preview of the cooler temps and cozy dinners to come, which will definitely include this tasty recipe. I always forget about tarragon! But not butter. Never butter…

Favorite shot: Dirty Martini Shots. SO much fun! I feel as though a tray of these will definitely be busted out for Ben’s birthday in October (swapping the pimento for blue cheese!)

Favorite yum: Baileys Chocolate Mousse. From Ben’s birthday to my Mom’s – I think a batch of Baileys-spiked chocolate mousse might be in order for her celebration in September. My Mama loves her some Baileys…and fluffy, light-as-air chocolate too!

Favorite furball: Shelter Dogs in a Photobooth. This idea is so wonderful – an animal shelter in Utah gave their dogs super cute and quirky photoshoots to help them get adopted faster. This would definitely work on me!

Favorite indulge: Dark Chocolate Salted Caramel Pretzel Brownies. YOU’RE WELCOME!! Oh my  gosh, that chewy caramel!!

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