Say it with me now – T.G.I.F!
Last night my parents and I attended one of the local Farmer’s Markets that just opened up for the season. Look who we ran into while we were there – Quacky, aka, Ben! ;)
He was onsite with his work team trying to push for last minute Duck Sales for the YESS Duck Derby tomorrow, and was freaking adorable in his duck suit, quacking at all the little (and big!) kids, handing out hundreds of high-fives and hugs, and absolutely loving every minute of it. What a trooper!
I hope you have some fun things planned for the weekend, and in the meantime, please enjoy my favorite finds from around the web in this week’s Friday Favorites!
Favorite bite: Spiked Raspberry Lemonade Cupcakes. What’s more happy than the summery, sweet-tart taste of raspberry lemonade in cupcake form?!
Favorite obsession: Kate Middleton + Kentucky Derby. This Friday Favorite serves double duty. 1.) I am obsessed with Kate Middleton and watched oh, pretty much every single special on tv last weekend about her and Will’s 1 year wedding anniversary. 2.) Wearing an awesome hat & attending the Kentucky Derby has officially been added to my bucket list. :)
Favorite supper: Lemon Basil Pesto Pasta. Thinking my obsession with lemons from last summer will surely continue this year with fresh and easy suppers like this one.
Favorite destination: Gorges du Verdon, Provence, France. This is actually a river in France, just down from Cannes. The color of the water just amazes me!
Favorite find: Dotty Motif Juicer. Totally unnecessary, and I have zero space left in my kitchen for uni-taskers, but ohh, it’s so pretty!
Favorite light bite: Orange Strawberry Salad with Orange Dressing. A sweet, light summer dinner, with an orange dressing that sounds just divine.
Favorite accent: Mini Wishbone Bracelet. So pretty and dainty, and you know I love all things lucky!
Favorite workout. Great set of exercises here.
Favorite redo: Brown Rice Sushi Balls. Instead of fussing with rolling sushi rolls, stick all the fresh ingredients inside a ball of rice. Love this!
Favorite giggle. I mean, RIGHT?!
Favorite funny. Bahahaha – look at his little left cock-eye!
Favorite comfort food: Cheesy Chicken & Rice Soup. I want this soup like, yesterday. Gah, I want to face plant in it!
Favorite home find: Suzani Print Bath Button Back Armchair. What a gorgeous accent piece! Me thinks Ben wouldn’t be too pleased with having a pink and purple chair in the living room though. ;)
Favorite spot. Yes. This. 2 months from now.
Favorite couple. I don’t know about you, but I could look at engagement and wedding photos all day long. They just make me so happy – especially when they’re fun and unique like this couple’s!
Favorite makeover: Chicken Parmesan Burgers. TOTALLY droolworthy!
Favorite blog: The Forest Feast. Amazing photos, recipes, and perspective.
Favorite dream home must have: Cook book Storage. Right now I have nowhere to store yet highlight all my fun cook books. This is a perfect solution to keep them out of the way, but still handy and in sight.
Favorite nibble: Orange Vanilla Almonds. Ben and I are OBSESSED – like, a bag a week obsessed – with Trader Joe’s raw unsalted almonds. This is a yummy way to jazz them up for a sweet, (pretty)healthy treat!
Favorite photo: Lincoln Memorial. Talent.
Favorite tutorial: Sock Bun Tutorial. If you’ve been curious as to what this whole sock bun craze is all about, go here to find out how to easily do it!
Favorite outfit. Can you say, summer? Would you wear colored shorts? I would/do!
Favorite mini: Poptart Pops. ADORABLE!!!
Click here for past Friday Favorites >
With that, I’m out! Have a great weekend everyone! :D
Ryan @ Spicy Richmond 05.04.2012
Ben makes a very handsome duck! And I too am obsessed with Kate Middleton.
Emily 05.04.2012
Those mini pop tarts are adorable!!
J+H @ Beyond The Stoop 05.04.2012
i bought shorts ALMOST like that a few years back on the clearance in november at oldnavy… $1.99. NOBODY wore salmon shorts then, but i figured “what the heck, they are only $2!” and now i wear them all the time in the summer :D
also, i saw that same mini poptart article on thekitchn.com last year, and was so inspired that i made regular-sized ones of my own! using the big batch of rhubarb jam i had just made… they are totally worth it to make them!! see it here:
http://www.beyondthestoop.com/2011/06/sunday-funday.html
cheers. have a great weekend :D
Fit Links Friday 5.4.12 « Shape Up NYC 05.04.2012
[…] this made me happy today:Â Friday Favorites via Iowa Girl […]
Sarah 05.04.2012
That chair is to die for! I have a pair of colored pants/capris in my cart online right now.. Just not sure if am brave enough to pull the trigger!
Kristine 05.04.2012
I love the engagement photos, those are so creative! Thanks for sharing all this! I love it!
Katelyn @ Chef Katelyn 05.04.2012
Just have to point out….. that duck costume is PRIME.
BrookeNotOnADiet 05.04.2012
I made those chicken parmesan burgers earlier this week and they are freaking AMAZING! Highly recommend them!
Villy @ For the love of Feeding 05.04.2012
I want that chair!! (and the outfit..) :)
Megan S. 05.04.2012
Love the recipes! I will be making those cupcakes for a Derby party tomorrow! And yes–you must experience Derby at lease once in your life. I live in Louisville and have been the last few years….craziness in the infield :)
Emily 05.04.2012
That juicer really is adorable! I’m with you though, uni-taskers just take up too much valuable space!
I’ll have to try the almond recipe, too. Sounds yummy!
Good luck with the Duck Race! We have one in my town and I love watching them get dumped into the river :)
Mollie 05.04.2012
I saw him there! Although, he wasn’t in the duck costume at the time.
Chelsea @ Chelsea Eats Treats 05.04.2012
OMG I am OBSESSED with trader joe’s raw unsalted almonds!!! I eat them every single day and NEVER get tired of them :) If you’re ever in a pinch and can’t get to TJ’s the blue diamond raw almonds from a regular grocery store are good too. Plus they come in small resealable containers so I can store them in my car!
thesecretengagement 05.04.2012
Hi! I adore your blog and I thought about starting one of my own. I had no idea what to blog about, then it final came to me: my secret engagement. I only have one post, but I think it’s the start of something beautiful. What do you think?
Trisha 05.04.2012
Those spiked raspberry lemonda cupcakes are seriously good, made them last summer for a bridal shower. I obsessed over Courtney’s chicken parm burgers after she posted them. I almost forgot how much I wanted to make them, thanks for the reminder! :)
Marissa | Pinch and Swirl 05.04.2012
Love this list + photos. I want to pull up a chair at that forest feast! And thanks so much for the nod (sushi balls)!
Amanda 05.04.2012
I made Courtney’s chicken parm burgers this week – they are delicious!!
Lauren @Chigallauren 05.04.2012
LOVE this post!! So much fun stuff!!
Emilie @ Emilie's Enjoyables 05.04.2012
I think we should share a closet. Love that outfit! and those poptarts on a stick…adorable.
Chelsea @ Designs on Dinner 05.04.2012
Those are all fabulous favorites! Your favorite spot looks very similar to mine….come on, summer, we’re all ready for you! Happy Friday!