Happy Friday everyone! How was your shortened week?
Lincoln started “school” (aka a short, two day program) this week and it was harder, but easier in some ways, than I thought. I could practically feel my heart tearing in half after kissing him goodbye then peeking back in and watching him wander around looking for me (still makes me tear up!) Thankfully he took it like an absolute champ, which we were not anticipating at all, and was happily scribbling away at the art table two hours later when I came to pick him up. So glad the first day is behind us! What in the world will I do when he starts full day Kindergarten?! Most likely run after the school bus like a complete maniac. ;)
Ben and I spent the last half of the week chained to tissue boxes. Lincoln recently picked up a cold and, despite our best hand washing efforts, he chose this week to begin wrapping his arms around our necks while nuzzling noses and saying “awwww!” pretty much any chance he gets. Soo sweet, but of course we got the gunk! My Grandma and Aunt are coming into town from Ohio this weekend so we are all trying to get better before they arrive. I mention this only because cold season is coming and I got a ton of great natural cold remedy suggestions on my Instagram account which you should definitely check out sooner rather than later. I’m adding Hot Toddy’s to the list! ;)
Wherever you are and whatever you do I hope you’re staying well, and in the meantime please enjoy my favorite finds from the web and beyond in this week’s Friday Favorites!
Click the light blue link to be taken to the original source.
Favorite dip: Easy Caramel Apple Cream Cheese Spread. I adore cream cheese + jelly dips for crackers and this unique fall spin has my mouth watering. Love the cracker >> apple slice swap too!
Favorite find: Polished Scoop Neck Top. I found this top at J Crew a few weeks ago and wanted to buy it in every single color. Instead I settled on pink and black. :) It’s got the best shape (not too flowy, not too tight,) and the fabric is impossible to wrinkle. Easy to dress up or down too!
Favorite sip: Salted Caramel Iced Coffee. I’m still sucking down iced lattes like summer’s never going to end and am dying over this homemade salted caramel flavor combo. My wallet would sure appreciate the extra $5.18 every time a flavored coffee craving hits (iced almond milk latte with vanilla, in case you’re wondering!) ;)
Favorite swap: Kung Pao Cauliflower. Cauliflower is still having itself a moment in the foodie world and swapping it for chicken in one of my favorite take out dishes is brilliant. Can’t wait to give it a try.
Favorite travel: Lake Morraine, CA. No filter alert, people! My jaw dropped when I saw this stunning photo on Jana414’s Insta-account. Another addition to my ever-growing bucket list.
Favorite indulge: Creamy Four Cheese Garlic Spaghetti Sauce. Yes, yes, and MORE yes. Grown up mac and cheese…with garlic. Deeelicious.
Favorite find: You Cook, I will Drink Wine. It’s like they read my mind! Such an awesome print for the kitchen or bar area.
Favorite yum: Chai Caramel Ice Box Cake. Chai + caramel = match made in cake Heaven, if you ask me! What a unique and inspired sweet combo.
Favorite funny: Men Try Liquid Eyeliner. I have probably watched this video 100 times and just keeps getting funnier. You must press play!! (Unless you find profanity unfunny – in that case, well, don’t.) :)
Favorite snack. The Laughing Cow and I are all about sharing fall-themed snacks this month so I created this delicious bite of crackers spread with The Laughing Cow Creamy White Cheddar cheese topped with crunchy apples and flash-fried fresh sage leaves to celebrate. Creamy, sweet, fresh – such a delicious twist on the classic cheese and apple snack combination.
Favorite space: Signs of Fall Decorating. Isn’t this the perfect fall-themed entryway table? Cute, rustic, and whimsical. Going to try and recreate in my space.
Favorite dinner: Spicy Tomato Garlic Shrimp Pasta. A fantastic weeknight dinner that’s full of flavor. Looks like I have all the ingredients already on hand too which means I’ll be making this pasta dish pronto.
Favorite look. I continue to obsess over the Extra Petite blog! She has the best finds and recommendations, and all the clothing she features is affordable – it’s the only fashion blog I regularly follow. I recently bought the skirt shown in this picture in black (wore it to this wedding,) and just loved it!
Favorite treat: Peanut Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies (flourless, no butter.) Finally, a treat Lincoln and I can BOTH eat (besides Annie’s Snickerdoodle Bunnies which, omg.) Can’t wait to stir these up then enjoy together. The gooey cookie factor is off the charts.
Have a great weekend everyone!
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I made the Easy Caramel Apple Cream Cheese Spread for friends Saturday and it was FABULOUS. Everyone loved it. I served it with apples and Pretzel Crisps…thanks!
Awesome, Joanie! Thanks for reporting back!
Thanks for the sweet shoutout! Hope you had an amazing weekend!
Those cookies look insanely delicious!
Wow!! Thank you so much for the feature!! I’m honored!! And I will be making those PB Oatmeal Cookies today!! Thanks so much again!!
Thanks so much for sharing the Extra Petite blog. I just spent way too much time perusing her site. I don’t commonly follow fashion sites either, but I’m loving her recommendations, especially for us shorties! Ordered the skirt in black- can’t wait to get it!!
loved reading this post so much! that pb oatmeal cookie looks TO DIE FOR! x,kenz
Omg the eyeliner vid, so funny!!!!!! Thank you I needed that!
I’m at work and that cookie recipe is killing me! Aggg! I must try it. Thanks for sharing.
I might need to learn to flash fry sage. I’ve got a ton of it in my garden, and short of using it with tons of pumpkin this fall (which could get old really quick), I have no idea what to do with it.
Yes, it is so good! Here’s a how to – you can also add whole leaves to EVOO heated over medium heat for maybe 5 seconds or so! http://iowagirleats.com/2014/09/12/brown-butter-and-sage-popcorn-how-to-make-popcorn-on-the-stove/
THAT cream cheese spread looks dangerous. WOWOWOWOW
That eyeliner video is hysterical!
Sorry about your colds. This time of year I always start adding an extra 500 mg vitamin C tablet in addition to my multivitamin. That and my obsessive hand washing usually keeps me healthy but then again I’m not around kids a lot.
Just put on first into kindergarten this week, wife was tearing up like crazy. She never did the whole preschool deal so it went from home all day to mom to school 5 days a week. 5 year old is thrilled. Mom is still crying. Sorry Lincoln has a cold, kids seem to be such germ spreaders despite, like you said, trying them to get them to wash their hands!!!