I’ve been bit!
First on my leg. Last month, when Ben and I were hiking at the Ledges, I got what I thought was some sort of poison oak/ivy, but since it never spread from two bumps and still itches, Ben informed me last night that it’s probably a spider bite, and the two bumps are where the spider sank it’s fangs into my juicy thigh.
HAS HE LEARNED NOTHING OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS?
Never tell your wife she has fang bites on her leg unless you want to be barfed on. I hate spiders.
Second, and less dramatic, possibly, I’ve been bit by the Olympics bug, which kick off in just over a month in London! I squeal a tiny bit every time I hear the little Olympics jingle play on an NBC promo. :)
I usually detest watching sports on tv (except for college football) but cannot tear my eyes off the Olympic games when they kick off every four years. From swimming, to gymnastics, and even rowing – rowing! – I can’t help but get into the spirit. Plus it’s always fun for Ben and I to bond over our mutual love of women’s volleyball. True story.
What are your favorite Olympic sports?
Anyways, after a record heat setting week, things are supposed to cool down a bit this weekend, and we’ve got some fun things on the agenda, including checking out the annual Des Moines Arts Festival. One of my favorite summertime events!
I hope you’ve got some fun things to look forward to this weekend too, and in the meantime, please enjoy my favorite finds from around the web in this week’s Friday Favorites!
Favorite fun: Cheesecake Cones. The creativity of some people just blow my mind. How fun is this?!
Favorite fashion: Electric Circus Strappy Dress. I’ve been loving racerback tanks and dresses lately, and this floral design is so sweet.
Favorite pooch. Hot dog, I totally feel you. It’s been 1,000 degrees here this week, and all I want to do is face plant in a bed of ice on the sidewalk!
Favorite sip: Orange Ginger Cocktail. For, you know, when the bed of ice doesn’t work.
Favorite remix: Boozy Watermelon Slices. Soak watermelon slices in tequila, then dip in coarse salt. For, you know, when the bed of ice and orange ginger cocktails don’t work! ;)
Favorite fitness: Track Workout. I LOVE track workouts in the summertime, and this one looks totally killer.
Favorite woah: Magic Vase. GUESS what this wee bud vase is made of? Click to find out – you won’t believe it. So cute!
Favorite bite: Ham & Cheddar Stuffed Pretzel Calzones. Mmmm, a homemade twist on my Baked Ham & Cheese Pretzel Sandwiches with Garlic Butter. Yum!
Favorite find: Kristin & Kayla’s Photo Journal. This blog is fantastic. It’s written by the little girls’ father, who is an incredible photographer and makes photo collages of them in hilarious/adorable situations. You have to check them out!
Favorite devour: Triple Berry Cake. I can practically taste the cool & creamy icing just looking at this picture!
Favorite redo: Zipper Tank. This girl took a basic black cami and sewed a zipper into the back to create this awesome, custom racer back top. Too bad I haven’t sewed anything since the botched bike bag I made in 7th grade sewing class.
Favorite side: Grilled Baby Artichoke with Tomato Salsa. I am obsessed with grilling artichokes after browsing through this blog.
Favorite place: The Narrows, Knox County, Texas. The Narrows is a narrow gorge formed by water passing through fossilized coral reef. Apparently it’s on privately owned land, but how cool, right?
Favorite outfit. Gee, what do you know? A RACERBACK TANK! ;) Love the color combo of pink and gold too.
Favorite dinner: Custom Mini Pies. Use bisquick mix to create mini Chicken Pot Pies, Broccoli Cheddar Pies, or even mini breakfast casseroles. I had an egg casserole at a baby shower I attended a few months ago that had a biscuit mix base and I’ve been searching for a similar recipe ever since. I think this might be a good place to start.
Favorite tip: Flat Iron Curling Iron. I tried this last year and it actually works! My hair was too short then to do my whole head, so I need to revisit the idea now that it’s longer. Not that it’ll hold, but still…it could be cute for the first 17 seconds. ;)
Favorite drool: Brownie Sandwich Cookies with Salted Caramel Creme Filling. I’ll take 1,000. Please, and thank you.
Favorite DIY: Painter’s Ladder Shelf. I have always wanted one of these for my house, but I hate how they’re always so expensive, right?!
Favorite gotta have it: Gooey Cinnamon Muffins. Just WAIT ’til you see the center of these babies. I GOTTA HAVE ‘EM!
Have a sa-weeet weekend, everyone! :D
laura 06.22.2012
I am obsessed with the Olympics too!!
Cathy 06.22.2012
The Olympic Track and Field Trials started today in my town, Eugene OR. Too bad that the typical Eugene winter weather (RAIN)is here for a day or too. Enjoyed the postings for the dress, the pink tank, the mini Bisquick muffins. Hope your bite heals: around here we worry about ticks when hiking.
Stephanie 06.22.2012
You have got to check out Dolan Geiman at the Des Moines Art fest. He’s one of my newest, most favorite creatives, and he’s from Chicago, which scratches my local itch. Check out his site for all the cool things he has identified that represent Iowa, including his own IOWA tractor. Love. Enjoy the weekend!
em @ simplypresent 06.22.2012
I’ve been getting eaten alive my mosquitos, one of the downsides of summer! Unfortunately the evenings are the only time it’s not too hot outside for me to go walk/jogging…
SO excited for the olympics as well! Love swimming and gymnastics the most!
Michele 06.22.2012
My favorite Olympic sport to watch is all the Equestrian events! I just love watching the Dressage. I had the joy of watching the U.S. Olympic Dressage team chosen from a national competition last weekend. It was truly amazing!
Liz 06.22.2012
I LOVED Kristin and Kayla’s Photo Journal. Great find! He is a fantastic photographer and the girls are so, so adorable. All you do is smile while browsing through his site! I would have loved for him to do my wedding photography!!
Lisa L 06.22.2012
We took an overnight road trip to Des Moines this last weekend and it was so darn hot and HUMID – thank goodness we stayed at a hotel that had an indoor/outdoor pool to keep cool in! Even better would have been if I had some of the watermelon or the orange ginger drink!!
erica 06.22.2012
omg, i have to have that dress! it is gorgeous!!!
Mandy 06.22.2012
I always love these posts! Those boozy watermelon slices look amaaaaaazing! And that track workout is inspiring! I need to amp up my exercise a bit before I go for it though.
Amber 06.22.2012
I LOVE that dress, it’s so pretty :)
And i wish we had a track around here!
dana828 06.22.2012
I totally have the Olympic bug! I was fortunate to be able to attend the Visa Championships (gymnastics) in St. Louis this month, where they selected the National Team that will compete at Olympic Trials. Front row seats, not too shabby!! And my daughter and I are headed to Omaha for the swimming Olympic Trials next weekend…Can. Not. Wait!
Nancy 06.22.2012
I love the custom mini pies and the cinnamon muffins are just too sweet! Hope you and Ben have a great weekend!
Alison 06.22.2012
Love your Friday Favorites posts – always such a well curated mix of great things! :) Happy Friday
Christa @ a*typicaljourney 06.22.2012
FYI – on the flat curling iron tip: I have incredibly, painfully, ANNOYINGLY fine hair…and I curl my hair with my flat iron all. the. time… guess what? It totally stays! It falls out a little but I don’t mind since it looks more easygoing, which is more my style anyway :) I definitely recommend it.
I also recently discovered the “Wave Creator” at Target and I might be officially obsessed. It makes awesome beachy waves in practically no time at all.
Elise 06.22.2012
I have the same problem and this ACTUALLY WORKS! The girl doing my hair at the salon showed me this a few weeks ago after I doubted her ability to curl my hair and I was totally shocked when it stayed all night. Love it!
Alysha @Shesontherun 06.22.2012
That zipper tank top is awesome. And I love that it’s DIY!
Lindsey 06.22.2012
Oh my! I love everything!
Jacqueline 06.22.2012
I was just dreaming about the Olympics yesterday! I live about 15 minutes away from San Jose where they are holding the Olympic trials for gymnastic next weekend and I’m dying to go.
I look forward to your Friday Favorites all week.
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche 06.22.2012
Haha I think you’re more excited about the Olympics than most of us Brits are :P most people are pretty much viewing it as a big stress that we’re not ready for, and that nobody actually wants to happen.
Villy @ For the love of Feeding 06.22.2012
Those stuffed pretzels… Oh my.
Have a nice weekend!
Lily 06.22.2012
I think me and the hubs are going to hit the DSM Arts Festival, as well. We’re first timers. Any suggestions on places to make sure we stop at? And I love the flat iron curling tip — I am so boring with my hair all I ever do is straighten it. Too lazy for a lot of effort!